In a deeply disturbing case from Hazaribagh district in Jharkhand, a 35-year-old woman has been arrested for allegedly murdering her 12-year-old daughter as part of a supposed “human sacrifice” ritual meant to cure her son’s illness.
According to police, the incident took place on March 24 during the Ashtami night of Navratri. The woman, identified as Reshmi Devi, allegedly committed the crime with the help of her long-time partner Bhim Ram and a self-proclaimed occult practitioner named Shanti Devi.
Investigators say the trio believed that sacrificing a “virgin girl” would cure the woman’s son, who reportedly suffers from mental and physical health problems. Police allege that the child was strangled during a ritual, after which the accused attempted to stage the scene as a rape and buried the body in a nearby garden. The body was discovered the next morning, triggering an investigation that led to the arrest of all three suspects.
Officials have said the accused initially attempted to mislead investigators but were later confronted with forensic evidence that contradicted their claims. Authorities have condemned the crime as a brutal act driven by superstition and manipulation, while the case has sparked widespread outrage and renewed conversations about the dangers of blind faith and occult practices.
Police Reveal Chilling Ritual Details
According to investigators, the alleged ritual killing was carried out after repeated consultations with the self-styled ‘tantrik’, who had reportedly been advising the family for some time. Police said the woman had been seeking solutions for her son’s illness and other family problems when the occult practitioner allegedly convinced her that the only way to resolve these issues was through a human sacrifice.
Hazaribagh Superintendent of Police Anjani Anjan told reporters that the accused were persuaded that the sacrifice of a “virgin girl” would bring divine intervention and cure the boy’s ailments. Acting on this belief, the mother allegedly brought her daughter to the ritual site on the night of Ashtami, considered a significant day during Navratri celebrations.
During the ritual, investigators say Bhim Ram allegedly strangled the girl while her mother held her legs. Police further alleged that after the child died, a wooden stick was inserted into her private parts as part of the ritual, and the girl’s head was struck to draw blood believed to be necessary for the ceremony. Officials said the body was later buried in a garden to conceal the crime.
“The accused attempted to create a false narrative by claiming the child had been raped,” Superintendent Anjan said, adding that the post-mortem and forensic reports did not support this claim. The gruesome details revealed during the investigation have shocked local communities and drawn attention to how deeply entrenched superstitions can be exploited to commit acts of violence.
Background And Additional Details From The Probe
As the investigation progressed, police uncovered further details about the accused and their relationships. Authorities said Reshmi Devi and Bhim Ram had allegedly been involved in a relationship for nearly a decade. Her husband, who reportedly works in Maharashtra as a migrant labourer, rarely visited home, according to police officials.
Investigators believe this relationship may have played a role in the circumstances surrounding the crime, although the primary motive appears to be the belief in the occult ritual suggested by the ‘tantrik’. Police also revealed that Bhim Ram has faced serious allegations in the past, including suspected involvement in other murders, though those cases remain under investigation.
After the child’s body was discovered the following morning, local authorities launched a probe that quickly raised suspicions due to inconsistencies in the accused’s statements. When forensic reports ruled out sexual assault, investigators intensified questioning and eventually arrested all three suspects. The case has once again highlighted the persistence of superstition-driven violence in several parts of India.
Despite laws in various states aimed at curbing practices related to black magic and exploitative occult rituals, such incidents continue to surface periodically, often targeting vulnerable individuals such as children and women. Social activists and local leaders have also pointed out that limited access to healthcare, mental health support and scientific awareness can sometimes push families toward desperate decisions influenced by unverified beliefs and manipulative practitioners.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This heartbreaking incident is not just a crime it is a stark reflection of the dangerous intersection of superstition, misinformation and vulnerability. Across India, countless families struggle with illness, poverty and emotional distress, and in such moments they may become susceptible to those who claim supernatural solutions.
When self-proclaimed spiritual healers exploit these fears, the consequences can be devastating, as seen in this tragic loss of a young life. While the law must take its course and ensure justice for the victim, preventing such tragedies requires more than punishment alone.
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