A 10-year-old boy was allegedly killed by his father in Gujarat's Sanand region, in an incident that police believe was driven by the man's desire to end a generations-old family tradition of serving as a 'bhuvo', or spirit medium.
According to NDTV, the incident took place in Vinchiya village, where the accused, identified as 37-year-old Naresh, worked as a farm labourer and also practised the traditional role of a spirit medium. His father had followed the same practice before him.
-
Indian Markets Turning Corner After Two Tough Years, Says Sandeep Tandon -
NDTV Profit Ignite 2026: Experts See Opportunity In Equities, Stay Bullish For Long-Term -
Buy Right, Sit Tight Does Not Work for Individual Stocks, Says Dinshaw Irani -
'Worst Is Behind': Quant MF Sees Market Bottom, Flags 'Extreme Euphoria' In Midcaps -
India's Mutual Fund Industry Could Become A $1 Trillion Opportunity, Say Fund Managers -
'Foreign Investors Are Baraatis': Raamdeo Agrawal's Take On LTCG Tax -
Stay Invested Through Market Cycles: Raamdeo Agrawal at NDTV Profit Ignite -
Ramesh Damani Remains Bullish On India For Next 20-30 Years, Sees Bargains Amid Market Weakness -
CAS Came After A Long Consultation Process: SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey AT NDTV PROFIT IGNITE -
Aim To Cut FPI Onboarding Time From Mth To Five Days: SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey AT NDTV PROFI
According to the police investigation, Naresh did not want the tradition to continue in his family after his death. He allegedly killed his 10-year-old son, Karan, to ensure that no one from the next generation inherited the role.
ALSO READ | Caught On Camera: Private Jet With Nine On Board Crashes Near Trump's Mar-a-Lago In Florida, All Dead
The incident came to light on the evening of November 1. At around 7 pm, residents reportedly heard screams and sounds of a commotion near the family's house and the altar dedicated to the local deity, Jogani Mata.
When family members and police reached the spot at around 9:30 pm, they found Karan lying lifeless on a cot with severe injuries to his head. His father was reportedly sleeping on another cot nearby and was wearing blood-stained clothes.
Police said their investigation indicated that Naresh had grabbed the boy by his legs and repeatedly slammed him against the altar of the family deity. He allegedly then assaulted the child with a stick, causing fatal injuries.
The child's mother, Bharatiben, had left for her parental home around 10 days before the incident following a domestic dispute with her husband. Karan had stayed back because his school examinations were approaching.
Sanand police arrested Naresh after Bharatiben lodged a complaint. Investigators said they were able to establish the sequence of events within hours of the complaint.
A case has been registered against him under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with murder.
ALSO READ | No Road, No Ambulance: Andhra Tribal Mother Walks 7 Km Carrying Sick Daughter To Hospital
Police have collected evidence from the crime scene and sent it for forensic examination. Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the killing, including the accused's alleged motive and his association with the family's traditional role as a 'bhuvo'.
Officials are also considering a psychological evaluation of the accused to understand what may have driven him to allegedly commit the crime.
Police said the investigation is underway.
Essential Business Intelligence, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice, Daily Fuel, Gold and Silver Prices and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.