Khushi Sahu, a 19‑year‑old pharmacy student from Kumhi village in Bemetara district, had recently moved to Bhilai to pursue her degree at a private college. To support her studies she also worked part‑time at a café in Vaishali Nagar.

Background and Persistent Stalking

Police identified the alleged perpetrator as Pintu Sahu, a resident of Balodabazar district. Investigators say he obsessively pursued Khushi for a month, calling her from multiple mobile numbers even after she blocked his original number. This pattern mirrors a troubling rise in stalking and gender‑based violence across India.

Details of the Attack

On Friday, the suspect entered Khushi’s paying‑guest accommodation in Ramnagar, Bhilai, while her roommate was in the bathroom and she was alone. An argument erupted, during which he allegedly attempted to strangle her before drawing a knife and delivering roughly ten stab wounds to her abdomen, back and hands. Excessive bleeding led to her death before emergency services could reach her.

Immediate Response and Investigation

The roommate discovered Khushi’s body in a pool of blood and alerted the house owner, who immediately called the police. The victim was rushed to a hospital where doctors pronounced her dead. Investigators learned that a week earlier Khushi had informed her brother about repeated harassing calls, and two days before the murder the suspect had threatened her brother as well. He also warned the café owner to make her quit her job and marry him.

Arrest, Reconstruction and Broader Implications

After the murder, the suspect fled towards Raipur but was intercepted by law enforcement. He was returned to the crime scene on Saturday for a forensic reconstruction. Police are probing whether the homicide was pre‑meditated. This case underscores the urgent need for stronger legal deterrents against stalking, enhanced safety measures for women students, and societal awareness to prevent such tragedies.