Agra, September 27, 2024 - In a shocking incident that has sent waves of horror through Uttar Pradesh, five individuals, including the owner and staff of a private school in Hathras, have been arrested for the alleged ritualistic murder of an 11-year-old student. The boy, identified as Kritarth, was reportedly killed as part of a 'tantrik ritual' intended to bring prosperity to the school. |
According to Ashok Kumar Singh, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) in Hathras, the gruesome event unfolded on September 23 when Kritarth, a second-grade student at DL Public School, was abducted from the school hostel. The perpetrators, driven by a misguided belief in occult practices, allegedly strangled the child in a secluded location.
Those arrested include:
- Jasodhan Singh, the school owner
- Dinesh Baghel, the school director and son of Jasodhan Singh
- Laxman Singh, the school principal
- Ramprakash Solanki and Veerpal Singh, both teachers at the school
The ASP revealed that Jasodhan Singh, a believer in 'tantrik rituals', had instructed his son Dinesh to sacrifice a child to ensure the prosperity of both the school and their family. The accused allegedly attempted to pass off the boy's death as a medical emergency, claiming they were taking him to a hospital. However, the family's intervention and subsequent police investigation unveiled the horrifying truth.
A postmortem report confirmed that Kritarth died due to strangulation. The police have filed an FIR against the five accused under section 103 (1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, and they have been remanded to judicial custody.
This disturbing case has raised serious questions about the safety of children in educational institutions and the persistence of superstitious practices in society. As the community grapples with the tragedy, authorities are emphasizing the need for stricter oversight of private educational institutions and increased awareness campaigns against harmful superstitions.
