9-yr-old Killed in Sacrificial Ritual to Cure Ailments
In Uttar Pradesh’s Deoria district, police arrested four individuals allegedly involved in a sacrificial ritual to cure ailments. The ritual, intended to heal a man’s health issues, ended in the horrifying murder of a nine-year-old boy.
Background of the Case
On the evening of April 16, a Class 2 student named Arush Gaur went missing while playing near his home in Patkhauli village. His disappearance was reported to local police the next day. As the investigation progressed, shocking details emerged connecting the child’s death to a so-called religious ritual meant to treat the health problems of one of the accused.
The Role of Belief in the Crime
According to police, Inderjeet, a constable assigned in Gonda who is said to be mentally unstable, was persuaded by his maternal uncle, Rama Shankar. Together, they believed that a sacrificial ritual to cure ailments would improve Inderjeet’s condition. This misguided belief led to the planning of a ritual involving the killing of an innocent child.
They were assisted by two other men, Bheem Gaur and Jai Prakash, all residents of the same village.
How the Crime Was Committed
According to the police report, the accused took Arush to a nearby orchard where they performed certain rituals. Following this, they brutally slit his throat. Initially, the child’s body was buried at the scene. Later, in a desperate attempt to avoid getting caught, the accused dug up the body and threw it into the nearby Ghaghara River.
Investigation and Breakthrough
The case saw significant progress only after Arush’s uncle, Somnath, filed a writ petition in the Allahabad High Court. The court directed Deoria police to submit a detailed action-taken report. Following the court’s intervention, authorities ramped up their efforts.
Soil samples were collected from the orchard, which revealed traces of human remains. DNA testing confirmed that the remains matched the missing boy. During further interrogation, the accused eventually confessed to their involvement in the sacrificial ritual to cure ailments.
Mental Health and Superstition
This case is a grim reminder of how untreated mental health issues, when combined with deep-rooted superstition, can lead to extreme actions. Inderjeet’s condition, possibly left undiagnosed or poorly managed, became the reason for seeking unscientific and dangerous remedies.
It’s essential to raise awareness about mental health and the importance of evidence-based treatment. Resorting to ritualistic practices not only fails to treat the patient but can also result in irreparable harm to others.
Conclusion
The heartbreaking loss of a young life in the name of a sacrificial ritual to cure ailments highlights the urgent need for stronger mental health care systems, public education against superstition, and timely legal intervention. As the case unfolds further in court, it serves as a critical call to action for both the medical and law enforcement communities.
Source: Inputs from various media Sources
Priya Bairagi
Reviewed by Dr Aarti Nehra (MBBS, MMST)
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
