In an emotional incident, Deola Bai, 85, was left heartbroken after a peepal tree she had planted and cared for over two decades was cut down. The incident occurred in Sara Gondi village in Chhattisgarh’s Khairagarh district. According to Narendra Kumar Soni, a resident of the area, the elderly woman had planted the sapling nearly 20 years ago in her courtyard. “She treated the tree as her own child,” Soni said, recalling how she diligently watered and protected it every day, TOI reported. The peepal tree was reportedly chopped down for personal gain. In the viral video, distressed locals can be seen gathering around the fallen trunk as Deola Bai wept inconsolably. Watch here: 20 years ago, she had planted a Peepal tree with her own hands. Land dealer Imran Memon from the village of Sarragondi in Chhattisgarh had the tree cut down. The woman cried bitterly after seeing this💔 pic.twitter.com/9K1cMQn6vO — Rakesh Kishore 🇮🇳 (@RakeshKishore_l) October 10, 2025 The video quickly gained traction, prompting a backlash against the accused. "Those who plant trees can really understand the women’s pain. What a cruel slaughter of such a beautiful tree. I have planted about 30 trees on my land, about 30 years ago, each of them now between 30-50 feet. They are my prized possesions and legacy and will outlive me by decades , as some of them live 200 years," a user wrote. "So incredibly heartbreaking," another user commented. "Her tears mean anything ?? Our community living priorities are dead in the glitter of money.made any which way," a third user reacted. According to the TOI report, following a complaint filed by Pramod Patel, a resident of the village, local police started an investigation. Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai (KCG) district police confirmed the arrest of two men in connection with the incident. Station House Officer (SHO) Anil Sharma stated that the tree was situated on government land but had become an integral part of the community for nearly two decades. A case has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 298 for actions intended to hurt religious sentiments, Section 238 for mischief, and Section 3(5). Additional charges under Section 3 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act were also added, the report stated. Both men were arrested, brought before the court, and remanded to judicial custody.
