Bride Receives Exploding Home Theatre Gift From Her Ex-Partner On Her Wedding

The Chhattisgarh Police apprehended the ex-partner of a recently married woman after allegedly placing an explosive device within their home theatre and music system in an attempt to take the couple's life. According to sources, the event occurred on Wednesday.

The aftermath of the exploding home theatre gift

Hemendra Merawi and Rajkumar, the woman's husband and brother respectively, lost their lives due to an explosion in a music system gifted to them by Sarju Markam, a man from Chhapla village in Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh.

Markam was taken into custody on Tuesday in Balaghat after his role in the crime was revealed during the investigation, as per Lal Umed Singh, the Superintendent of Police for Kabirdham.

On March 31, Merawi from Chamari village under Rengakhar police station jurisdiction tied the knot with a 29-year-old woman from Anjana village. Their wedding reception was held at his residence on 1 April.

On Monday, Merawi encountered a tragedy while trying to turn on his wedding gift, a home theatre, which resulted in his immediate death. Official reports indicate that five others, including his elder brother, were injured in the incident.

He mentioned that his brother eventually passed away while receiving treatment at the local district hospital.

During the investigation, the forensic team was able to identify traces of gunpowder. As a result, questioning of the bride and groom's family members took place.

The investigation uncovered that Merawi's wife and Markam were in regular communication. Apparently, the two were involved in a romantic relationship, and Markam was unhappy after Merawi's wife stopped talking to him following her engagement with Merawi.

According to the investigation, police went to a shop in the Mandai area of Balaghat and confirmed that the music system was purchased from there. Upon questioning the shop owner, it was revealed that Markam was the one who purchased it.

The authorities focused their attention on Markam, a Birsa-based auto mechanic, and took him into custody, reports indicate.

Markam confessed to the authorities that he was responsible for the incident and provided details about his materials, including ammonium nitrate, petrol, and gunpowder were taken from firecrackers, with a total weight of around 2 kg. He then placed the bomb in the home theatre and used the power supply as a trigger mechanism.

Markam arrived in Chamari on 1 April, which was the day of reception, riding a motorcycle. He brought along a wrapped music system as well as other gifts and left after delivering them.

Singh stated that Markam had gained experience working in a stone crusher plant in Indore from 2015-2016. During this time, he acquired knowledge of how to construct explosives using ammonium nitrate.

According to the official, the individual who stands accused had obtained ammonium nitrate from the identical crusher plant and retained possession of it.

Markam conspired to murder the couple after the woman declined to end her marriage and ceased communication with him, as reported.

The perpetrator has been charged with acts of murder (302) and attempted murder (307) according to the Indian Penal Code (IPC) along with the relevant provisions of the Explosives Substances Act.

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