A shocking and gruesome murder in Madhya Pradesh’s Damoh district has left residents of a village in deep shock after a 16-year-old boy was allegedly killed with a hammer by a villager who then behaved in an extremely disturbing manner following the attack. The accused has been arrested, and a murder case has been registered, police said.

The victim, identified as Bharat Vishwakarma, was a resident of Arthkheda village under the Imalia outpost in the Dehat police station area. He had travelled to nearby Samanna village to visit his sister on the occasion of Bhai Dooj.

As per a report by The Times of India, police and family members said that Bharat was accompanied by his cousin Vijay Vishwakarma when they were confronted by Gudda Patel, a resident of the same village.

Vijay told police that the accused suddenly attacked Bharat with an iron rod and then repeatedly struck him with a hammer. The blows were aimed at the teenager’s head.

Vijay managed to escape during the assault and later alerted villagers about the attack.

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Eyewitnesses describe disturbing aftermath

Villagers who rushed to the spot claimed the accused behaved in a deeply disturbing manner after the killing. According to eyewitnesses, he allegedly consumed parts of the victim’s brain, drank blood and smeared it on his face.

The accused then fled toward nearby agricultural fields while carrying the hammer.

Residents informed the Dehat police, who reached the spot and launched a search operation.

Accused caught hiding in fields

Police later found the accused hiding in the fields. During the operation, he allegedly tried to threaten villagers and police personnel while flashing his weapon.

However, when he dropped the weapon, villagers overpowered him and handed him over to the police.

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Eyewitnesses also told police that the accused had a criminal past. He had earlier been convicted of murdering his wife nearly two decades ago. After serving a prison sentence, he was reportedly released about two years ago.

Investigation underway

Police said the body of the minor has been sent for postmortem examination. The remains will be handed over to the family after the procedure is completed.The accused has been booked for murder and is being questioned to determine the motive behind the killing.

Further investigation is underway, police said.