Gujarat man arrested for allegedly killing son at goddess altar
The accused, a farm labourer, reportedly killed his 10-year-old son to prevent anyone in the family from becoming a bhuva.
A farm labourer was arrested in Vinchhiya village in Ahmedabad district for allegedly killing his 10-year-old son on Sunday night. According to reports from Deccan Chronicle and The Hawk, the accused, Naresh Patel, allegedly killed the boy, Karan, near a goddess's altar in his home courtyard.
The incident occurred after the boy's mother, Bhartiben, had gone to her parents' house following a domestic dispute. The child had remained at home because his school examinations were approaching, according to The Hawk.
Bhartiben alleged in a complaint that Patel killed the child to stop the family tradition of being a bhuva, a ritual practitioner. She claimed that when she questioned him, he said he had sacrificed his only son to ensure no other family member would take on that role after him.
Sanand police station inspector Jayprakash Chauhan stated that the accused is severely mentally disturbed. The Hawk reported that officials noted he did not appear mentally stable and a psychological evaluation would be conducted.
The police found Patel sleeping on a cot next to the boy's body with blood-stained clothes. The Sanand police have registered a murder case under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and an investigation is underway.