Who Is Ram Sahay Jaiswal? The Chhattisgarh 'Psycho Killer' Who Poisoned 8 Men With Borax Powder

Police in Chhattisgarh have arrested Ram Sahay Jaiswal, a 46-year-old shopkeeper, for allegedly poisoning and killing eight men over a four-month period. Operating out of Kharve village in the Balodabazar district, Jaiswal is accused of lacing his victims’ alcohol with borax powder between February and May of this year. Investigators say the murders were driven by a mix of personal grudges, financial disputes, and superstitions, with the accused temporarily avoiding detection by attending the funerals of the men he killed.

A Lethal Method

Jaiswal’s weapon of choice was borax powder, a chemical compound locally known as 'suhaga.' According to police, he obtained the substance from a fellow villager under the pretext of needing it for pest control to kill rats. Before targeting humans, Jaiswal reportedly tested the powder on a dog, which died from the exposure. He then began inviting his targets to drink with him, secretly mixing the borax into their alcohol to deliver a fatal dose. Kyle Bevan Prison Murder: CCTV Video Shows Inmates Plotting Before Child Killer Stabbed 25 Times in UK Jail.

A Pattern of Targeted Killings

The alleged murders began on February 6 with a man named Badri, with whom Jaiswal had frequent personal disputes. Over the next three months, seven more men were fatally poisoned. Police investigations revealed that the motives varied strictly based on Jaiswal's personal grievances. On February 20, he allegedly killed Buthalu over an election and community-related disagreement. In March, he poisoned Chhattu Ram after suspecting him of having inappropriate intentions toward his wife, followed closely by Budhram, with whom he had an ongoing land dispute.

Other victims included Vinod Kumar, who was killed after repeated arguments, and Gajanand, whom Jaiswal suspected of practicing black magic that caused him financial harm. On April 29, a money lender named Chaituram was murdered so Jaiswal could avoid repaying a ₹50,000 loan. The final victim, Mahetaru Sahu, died on May 14.

Deflecting Suspicion

To avoid raising alarms, Jaiswal integrated himself into the aftermath of the crimes. Police report that he actively assisted the families by helping transport the dying men to local hospitals. When the victims passed away, Jaiswal attended their funerals and grieved alongside their relatives. Because of his helpful demeanor, villagers initially assumed the sudden string of deaths in Kharve was simply a tragic coincidence caused by natural illness. Telangana: Husband, Contract Killer Arrested for Murder of Woman.

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The Investigation and Arrest

The case finally unraveled in early June when villagers and relatives of the deceased began to connect the dots. They noticed a distinct pattern: every single victim had spent time drinking with Jaiswal shortly before their health deteriorated. After locals brought their suspicions to the authorities, police launched a formal probe. They exhumed the bodies of seven victims and sent them to Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar Memorial Hospital in Raipur for post-mortem and forensic analysis by a special medico-legal team. One victim's remains were unavailable for testing as he had already been cremated.

The investigation gained significant traction when a man named Kartik, who survived drinking Jaiswal's poisoned liquor, provided a statement to investigators. While Jaiswal initially denied the allegations during police interrogation, authorities state he eventually confessed to the targeted killings. He is currently facing eight charges of murder and one charge of attempted murder.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 24, 2026 09:52 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).