Raipur
Jivan Thakur, former District President of the Sarv Adivasi Samaj and a Congress leader from Chhattisgarh, died under suspicious circumstances at Raipur Central Jail on 4 December. He had been arrested by Kanker police on 12 October on charges of making fake forest land title deeds (van patta).
He was shifted to Raipur Central Jail from Kanker on 2 December. His family alleges that he was moved without any prior intimation and died two days after the transfer.
Reports indicate that Thakur was admitted to Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Memorial Hospital (Mekahara), Raipur, after his health deteriorated in jail. He succumbed during treatment at 8 am. The bereaved family has refused to perform the last rites, which remain pending even 30 hours after his death, demanding action.
Congress MLA Savitri Mandavi and the Sarv Adivasi Samaj have demanded action against the responsible officials.
Bhupesh Baghel to meet aggrieved family
Jivan Thakur was the former President of the Congress Committee for Charama Block. The tribal community of Gram Maina and his family are deeply angered by the incident. Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel is scheduled to visit the village today, 5 December, to meet the victim’s family.
Family submits complaint, alleges negligence
The family has submitted a written complaint to Charama police station, alleging serious negligence, concealment of information, and murder by the jail administration. The family claims they were not informed about his transfer, his deteriorating health, or his hospitalisation. They assert that he did not suffer from any prior illness and that they only received the news of his death via a wireless message.
Died four hours after hospitalisation
Kanker Assistant Jail Superintendent Renu Dhruv stated that Jivan Thakur was admitted to Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Memorial Hospital, Raipur, at 4.20 am on 4 December. He died at 7.45 am. The family received the news of his death around 5 pm, which further fuelled their anger.
The family questioned why Thakur did not receive timely treatment despite his continuously worsening condition and why they were not informed about his referral to Raipur.
Arrested in fake land title case
Thakur, who was 49, was arrested in connection with the fraudulent van patta case. A First Information Report (FIR) was registered against him under IPC sections 420, 467, 468, 34 and sections 340 and 318(4) BNS 2023 at Charama police station (Crime No. 123/2025).
Tribal body demands probe
Sumer Singh Nag of the Gondwana Samaj Samanya Samiti, Bastar division, stated that this was not a natural death but a case of serious negligence and possible murder. He alleged that the community and family had been visiting the police station and hospital for three days but were not given correct information.
MLA Savitri Mandavi has also called for an investigation into the order to transfer Thakur to Raipur without notice.
In their complaint, the family and the Sarv Adivasi Samaj have demanded a magisterial inquiry, action against the responsible officials, provision of medical records and post-mortem report, conducting of the post-mortem in the family’s presence, and compensation for the family. They also requested that the body be safely transported and handed over to the family at their native village.
Tribal chiefs warn of agitation
Tribal representatives Sumer Singh Nag, Kanhaiya Usendi, Gautam Kunjam, and Tushar Thakur warned of a large-scale agitation if the matter is not properly investigated and the culprits are not punished.
The Sarv Adivasi Samaj has demanded that the Home Department form a Special Committee to investigate the incident within seven days. Failing this, they will protest by surrounding the District Collector’s office.
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