A four-month-old baby was rescued by the police from a burial ground moments before she was about to be sacrificed by a tantrik in Khajuri Khas on Friday night.
The police, which solved the abduction case within hours of the complaint being lodged, have arrested the baby’s uncle, the tantrik and his associate on charges of kidnapping and attempt to murder.
On April 15, the baby’s father, a vegetable vendor from Old Mustafabad, lodged a missing complaint at the Khajuri Khas police station. In his complaint he said his brother-in-law, Asif, was also missing.
“The man told us he had already made a call to Asif and visited his house, but could not find him anywhere,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (North East) Dr. A.K. Singla.
An FIR of abduction was registered and the police managed to track down Asif the same evening. During questioning, Asif confessed to abducting and selling the infant for Rs. 40,000. His revelations about the purpose of the abduction were rather chilling, said a police officer.
“He disclosed that he sold his niece to Mohammad Illyas alias Sufi, a tantrik, and his associate Dilshad for Rs. 40,000. He said Illyas was going to kill the girl to offer a sacrifice to a certain deity who would enhance his witchcraft powers. At Asif’s instance, we sent a team to the burial ground that same night where the ritual was to be performed,” said Dr. Singla.
Illyas and Dilshad were arrested from the spot. A sharp edged weapon meant to be used for the “sacrifice” was also seized, said the police. During interrogation, the two purportedly disclosed that they needed to sacrifice infant girls for their occult practices.
“They had asked Asif to arrange for one such baby and had paid some money in advance. When Asif did not manage to find anyone else, he abducted his own niece,” said Dr. Singla.
During questioning, Asif confessed to abducting and selling the infant for Rs. 40,000