The victim, identified as Rajesh Kumar (name changed for privacy), a 42-year-old lineman with the Madhya Pradesh State Electricity Board (MPSEB), was wrapping up his shift in the quiet outskirts of Satna when the attack occurred around 8 PM. According to eyewitnesses and initial police reports, Kumar was near a transformer repair site when an unidentified man approached him under the pretense of inquiring about a power outage.
Without warning, the assailant pulled out a .32-caliber revolver and fired two shots at close range, striking Kumar in the shoulder and abdomen. The blasts echoed through the dimly lit streets, sending residents scrambling for cover. Kumar, despite severe blood loss, managed to raise the alarm, shouting for help as the shooter bolted from the scene.
"I heard the pops—thought it was firecrackers at first," recounted neighbor Sita Devi, a 55-year-old homemaker who lives nearby. "Then I saw Rajesh ji collapsing, blood everywhere. The attacker just ran like the devil was after him, but... something fell off. It was a leg! A fake one!"
In his panic, the shooter—described as a man in his late 30s, medium build, wearing a dark jacket and cap—didn't notice that his prosthetic leg had detached during the sprint. The artificial limb, a basic carbon-fiber model with a worn sneaker attached, was discovered mere meters from the victim's body by responding officers from the Satna Kotwali Police Station.
Forensic teams quickly secured the scene, bagging the prosthesis as key evidence. Preliminary analysis suggests the leg is a commercially available model, possibly sourced from a local medical supplier in Satna or neighboring Rewa district. "It's not just any discard—fingerprints on the attachment straps and possible DNA traces could lead us straight to him," said SP Satna, Dr. Akhilesh Kumar, in a press briefing early Friday morning.
The prosthetic's abandonment has added a layer of irony to the crime: a man with a physical disability, perhaps driven by desperation or grudge, now faces the added humiliation of hopping away on one leg. Eyewitness sketches depict the suspect limping noticeably after the drop, which could explain why he hasn't been sighted since vanishing into the nearby sugarcane fields.
Police suspect the attack stems from a long-simmering dispute over electricity billing and land encroachment. Kumar, a veteran MPSEB employee of 15 years, had reportedly clashed with local shopkeepers and farmers in recent months over unauthorized power connections and unpaid dues. "Rajesh was strict but fair—he'd cut lines on defaulters without hesitation," said a colleague who wished to remain anonymous. "Word is, this guy had his shop disconnected last week and threatened revenge."
No arrests have been made yet, but authorities have detained three persons of interest for questioning. The Satna police have formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT), deploying drones and canine units to scour the rural hideouts. A Rs 50,000 reward has been announced for tips leading to the assailant's capture.
Kumar underwent emergency surgery at Satna's District Hospital and is listed in stable condition, though doctors warn of a prolonged recovery. "He's lucky to be alive—the shots missed vital organs by inches," said Dr. Priya Sharma, the lead surgeon.
This bizarre episode highlights the gritty underbelly of rural Madhya Pradesh, where petty disputes can escalate into life-threatening violence. Satna, a district known for its diamond mines and historical forts, has seen a 15% uptick in firearm-related crimes this year, per state police data. But the prosthetic twist brings a human angle: Who was this man before he became a shooter? A war veteran? An accident survivor turned outlaw? Investigations into the leg's serial number may uncover his identity—and perhaps a story of hardship fueling rage.
As the manhunt intensifies, netizens on X (formerly Twitter) are already memeing the "One-Legged Bandit," with hashtags like #ProstheticFugitive trending locally. Yet, beneath the dark humor lies a sobering reminder: In the heat of crime, even the most calculated plans unravel in the most unexpected ways.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops. Have tips or thoughts? Drop them in the comments below. And remember—next time you're in a hurry, double-check your step.
Sources: Aaj Tak, Satna Police Press Release. All details based on reports as of December 12, 2025.
Q1. What exactly happened in Satna? A gunman shot a 42-year-old Madhya Pradesh State Electricity Board (MPSEB) lineman named Rajesh Kumar twice (shoulder and abdomen) on Thursday night, 11 December 2025, around 8 PM near a transformer site. While fleeing, the shooter’s prosthetic leg detached and was left at the crime scene.
Q2. Why was the lineman targeted? Police suspect it was revenge. The victim had recently disconnected illegal electricity connections of several local shopkeepers and farmers. The shooter reportedly threatened him a week earlier after his shop’s power was cut.
Q3. Is the victim alive? Yes. Rajesh Kumar underwent emergency surgery at Satna District Hospital and is now in stable condition.
Q4. Has the shooter been identified or arrested? As of 12 December 2025, no arrest has been made. The police have formed a Special Investigation Team and are tracing the serial number of the recovered prosthetic leg.
Q5. What kind of prosthetic leg was found? A basic below-knee carbon-fiber prosthesis with a worn sneaker attached. It appears to be a locally procured or standard Indian-market model.
Q6. How are the police using the prosthetic leg as evidence?
Q7. Is there a reward for information? Yes, Satna Police have announced ₹50,000 reward for credible information leading to the arrest of the shooter.
Q8. Is the incident trending on social media? Yes. Hashtags like #ProstheticFugitive, #OneLeggedShooter, and #SatnaShocker are trending locally on X (Twitter), with many memes circulating.
Q9. Where can I report any information? Contact Satna Kotwali Police Station or call the Madhya Pradesh Police helpline 100/112. Informants can remain anonymous.
Q10. Will there be updates? Yes, local news channels (Aaj Tak, ABP News, ETV Madhya Pradesh) and Satna Police official X handle are providing regular updates.