‘Wanted apsara-like wife, heavenly afterlife’: Man held for abducting, beheading boy in occult ritual

JODHPUR: Pali police arrested a 30-year-old man accused of abducting and beheading an 11-year-old boy in a village under Sojat subdivision, allegedly believing the act would bring him "heavenly rewards", spiritual powers and a beautiful wife as advised by an occult practitioner.

The accused, identified as Sheru Khan Moyla, a potter from Ramasani Sandovan village, was formally arrested late Friday night after prolonged interrogation. Police had detained him on the night of May 14 in connection with the murder.

According to Circle Officer (Sojat) Ratan Dewasi, the accused repeatedly changed his statements during questioning but also made several shocking disclosures. "He confessed that he believed sacrificing a child would help him attain spiritual powers, a heavenly afterlife and an ‘apsara-like' wife on earth," Dewasi said.

Police said the accused also revealed that he had attempted to abduct another child three days before the murder, but the boy managed to escape.

Investigators found that the accused had a history of suspicious behaviour linked to superstition and occult practices. Police said he was married around two years ago to a relative from the Mewar region, but his wife left for her parental home the day after the wedding and never returned after learning about his criminal background and alleged occult leanings.

Police added the accused had earlier slaughtered a buffalo calf in the village as part of black magic rituals, an act that reportedly contributed to the breakdown of his marriage. His wife later divorced him after learning about the incident and his alleged involvement in thefts.

Dewasi said the accused allegedly prepared the ritual hours before the murder by arranging firewood, an earthen pot, incense sticks, a red cloth and sacred threads near a pond embankment outside the village.

He later allegedly lured the victim, who was returning home from a madarsa, to the isolated spot and killed him using a sharp axe-like tool locally known as a "koot". Police are trying to recover the weapon.

The post-mortem was conducted late Friday night in the presence of the victim's family. Police are also searching for the occult practitioner who allegedly advised the accused to carry out the sacrifice.