Yavatmal: A routine night patrol led police to uncover a superstition-driven treasure hunt in the Vadgaon jungle, with six persons arrested during a late-night operation near Karegaon on Saturday.
Patrol Leads to Suspicious Vehicle
Acting on heightened surveillance amid a spate of motor pump thefts, a team led by Station House Officer Vikas Dande noticed a suspiciously parked vehicle on the Varud–Karegaon road around midnight. A search of the vehicle revealed items linked to occult practices, including a spade, incense sticks, jowar flour, black dolls, a trident, rudraksha beads, lemons, hair strands, needles, amulets, and multi-coloured threads.
Suspects Confess to Treasure Hunt
During questioning, the suspects admitted they had come to excavate hidden treasure. Those arrested have been identified as Ashok Rathod (50), Ritesh Bhagat (19), Leeleshwar Bawane (26), Kundan Rathod (28), all from Washim district, along with Virendra Gaikwad (35) and Keshav Rathod of Arni. Preliminary findings indicate that Gaikwad was performing the role of a priest.
Legal Action Taken
A case has been registered under Sections 3(1), 3(2), and 3(3) of the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013. The police continue to investigate the matter.
