Steel Businessman's Son Found Dead in Raipur

The body of 25-year-old Akshat Agarwal, son of steel entrepreneur Mahesh Kedia, was discovered on Wednesday in a Hyundai car parked near a forest along the Ambikapur-Manendragarh road in Surguja district. Akshat, who was the Director of Ambika Steel Industries, had left home the previous evening. His lifeless body was found in the driver's seat, prompting immediate notification of the police. Authorities, led by Additional SP Amolak Singh and SHO Pradeep Jaiswal, confirmed that Akshat had sustained multiple gunshot wounds—specifically, two to the chest and one to the stomach. Initial investigations indicated that the revolver used in the shooting belonged to Akshat himself. Additionally, police recovered three unlicensed revolvers from the vehicle, raising further questions about the circumstances surrounding his death. In the course of the investigation, police arrested Sanjeev Mandal, a former real estate broker with ties to Ambika Steel Industries, who was reportedly seen with Akshat prior to the incident. It was revealed that Mandal had borrowed Rs 50,000 from Akshat, leading authorities to suspect that financial motives may have played a role in the crime. Mandal was found in possession of Rs 47,000 in cash and jewelry belonging to Akshat. While Mandal claimed he was hired by Akshat to commit suicide, police remain skeptical, focusing on robbery and murder as potential motives. The investigation is ongoing, and Akshat Agarwal was cremated in Ambikapur.