Meerut: Three individuals, including a self-proclaimed tantrik posing as a seer, have been arrested in Hapur district after police dismantled a gang involved in stealing human skulls from funeral pyres to conduct occult rituals.
The Arrest and Investigation
Police officials stated that the case began with the obsession of Mohd Amaan (20), who allegedly sought to gain control over his girlfriend and her family through black magic. Amaan contacted Avdhesh Sharma (75), a resident of Pilibhit, who reportedly exploited his desperation and convinced him that acquiring a human skull from a burning pyre would enable a 'vashikaran' ritual to ensure unquestioned control over his targets.
According to CO Varun Mishra, “On his advice, the accused stole a skull from a burning pyre of a minor boy in Hapur after the relatives left, and took bones to perform black magic at Avdhesh’s residence.”
The incident came to light during a police probe, following which the accused were apprehended. During a search of their hideout, law enforcement seized objectionable materials linked to occult practices, including approximately 100 photographs of different men and women allegedly used in tantric rituals.
Evidence and Legal Action
“The accused may have targeted several people. We are identifying those in the photographs. An FIR under BNS Section 301 (trespassing on burial places) and the Arms Act has been registered against the three accused. One accused is a minor,” CO Mishra added.
The police continue to investigate the extent of the gang's activities and are working to identify all individuals depicted in the seized photographs. The arrests have highlighted the dangerous intersection of superstition and criminal behavior in the region.
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About the Author: Rahul Singh, a principal correspondent based in Meerut, is a graduate of Journalism and Law. He extensively covers court judgments and crime and has a penchant for off-beat human interest stories.
