Now a long-standing dispute over the commercial use of residential property has ended in a horrific fatality in Madhya Pradesh. On Wednesday night, March 25, 2026, Shampa Pandey, a software engineer and mother of two, was killed after being intentionally run over by a vehicle at Shiv Vatika Smriti Enclave in Indore. Therefore, the incident occurred during a heated confrontation between homeowners and a penthouse owner over the property’s listing on Airbnb. Currently, the police have arrested the owner and his son on charges of murder. Thus, while the community mourns the loss of a young professional, the tragedy has ignited a national debate over the safety and legality of short-term rentals in private residential complexes.
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At a Glance:
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The Victim: Shampa Pandey, a software engineer and mother of two young children.
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The Accused: Penthouse owner Kuldeep Chaudhary and his son, Monish.
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The Conflict: Residents were protesting the “unsafe” use of a 7th-floor penthouse as an Airbnb/homestay.
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The Escalation: A verbal spat led to a power supply cut-off, followed by the accused allegedly ramming his car into protesters.
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Police Action: Both father and son have been arrested by Lasudiya police and are currently under interrogation.
In This Article:
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Wednesday Night Horror: From Verbal Spat to Fatal Collision
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The Airbnb Dispute: Residential Safety vs. Commercial Profit
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CCTV Evidence: How the Incident Unfolded at Smriti Enclave
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Legal Fallout: Arrests and the Demand for Property Delisting
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Wednesday Night Horror: From Verbal Spat to Fatal Collision
Now the Pandey household is grappling with an unimaginable loss. Because the residents of Shiv Vatika Smriti Enclave had grown tired of strangers entering their building at all hours, they gathered on Wednesday to once again voice their concerns.
First, the residents decided to cut the power to the penthouse after the owner, Kuldeep Chaudhary, ignored previous requests to stop renting the unit as an Airbnb. Next, in a fit of retaliation, Chaudhary reportedly cut the power to the entire building. Thus, a verbal altercation ensued, during which Chaudhary allegedly called his son, Monish, to “settle the matter.” Currently, witnesses claim the situation turned violent within minutes as the son arrived at the scene.
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The Airbnb Dispute: Residential Safety vs. Commercial Profit
Now the underlying tension at the enclave has been building for months. Because many homeowners moved into the complex seeking a quiet, secure environment, the presence of a “business” on the seventh floor was a constant point of friction.
First, residents noted that they felt unsafe with strangers coming in and out of the building late at night. Next, when NDTV visited the site, they found empty beer bottles on the terrace, supporting the residents’ claims of rowdy behavior. Thus, the community argued that residential bylaws were being flouted for commercial gain. So, the tragedy has now turned a local zoning dispute into a high-profile criminal investigation.
CCTV Evidence: How the Incident Unfolded at Smriti Enclave
Now the details of the crime have been partially captured on the society’s security cameras. Because the footage provides a chilling timeline of the event, it has become a central piece of evidence for the Lasudiya police.
First, the footage shows Monish Chaudhary pulling out his Swift car and driving it into the wife of a security guard. Next, as neighbors rushed to help her, Monish reportedly circled back around. Finally, he allegedly rammed into Shampa Pandey and drove over her before breaking the society gate to escape. Thus, the deliberate nature of the act has led to widespread calls for the strictest possible legal action against the duo.
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Legal Fallout: Arrests and the Demand for Property Delisting
Now the police are working to piece together the full sequence of events. Because the accused were identified immediately by residents, Town Inspector Taresh Soni confirmed that both Kuldeep and Monish Chaudhary are in custody.
First, the investigation is focusing on the “intentional” aspect of the hit-and-run. Next, grieving neighbors are demanding that all four penthouses owned by Chaudhary in the building be permanently delisted from any rental marketplace. Thus, the society is pushing for a total ban on commercial homestays within their enclave. Currently, the two young children of the victim remain unaware that their mother will not be coming home.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who was Shampa Pandey? Shampa Pandey was a software engineer based in Indore and a mother of two. She was a resident of Shiv Vatika Smriti Enclave and was active in protesting the commercial use of the building’s penthouses.
Why were the residents of Shiv Vatika Smriti Enclave protesting? They were protesting the use of a penthouse as an Airbnb rental, citing safety concerns, late-night disturbances by strangers, and the illegal use of a residential property for business.
What charges are the accused facing? While the investigation is ongoing, Kuldeep Chaudhary and his son Monish have been arrested. They are expected to face charges related to murder and intentional collision.
Is it legal to run an Airbnb in a residential building in Indore? The legality often depends on local municipal laws and society bylaws. Many residential associations in India prohibit commercial homestays without explicit permission from the Resident Welfare Association (RWA).
What happened to the security guard’s wife? She was also struck by the vehicle during the initial part of the confrontation but was helped to safety by neighbors before the fatal strike on Shampa Pandey occurred.
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