By Avijit Biswas
Bhagalpur, May 27: Two convicted for child sacrifice in a SC/ST act court case, were sentenced to life imprisonment today by Deepak Kumar, third Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADJ). The case of October 2019 relates to sacrifice of ten-year-old Kanhiya son of Sikander Ravidas in Binoba Tola located in Hajurnagar panchayat of Pirpainty block.
The victim was kidnapped and sacrificed by his uncle Shivnandan Ravidas on Diwali night with help of Bilas Mandal, an occultist (tantrik). The uncle of the victim who was childless under influence of the occultist committed the crime in a bid to appease God for having a child.
The body of victim bearing marks of grievous wounds was recovered from a bamboo bush in village following morning after night on which he was sacrificed. A FIR related to the incident was lodged by police on basis of statement of Meena Devi, mother of the victim.
Sivanandan Ravidas, uncle of the victim was subsequently arrested and on his identification Bilas Mandal, the occultist was also arrested by police. Following his arrest, Shivnandan reportedly confessed his crime before police.
He admitted in his confessional statement that he had planned abduction and sacrifice of the child on Diwali night along with the occultist, a week before committing the crime.
Employed as security guard in Gujarat, Shivanandan Ravidas had approached Bilas Mandal for helping him to have a child with his knowledge of occultism. Before he left for his workplace in Gujarat, he had given Rs 15000 to the occultist for performing puja.
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Shivnandan Ravidas, the uncle of the victim in his confessional statement had further told police that on his return home after six months at time of Durga Puja, he met Bilas Mandal and told him that he is yet to have a child on which the occultist suggested for sacrificing his nephew on Amavasya night.
He convinced him that his wife will deliver a child following sacrifice of his nephew. Ramesh Choudhary, Special Public Prosecutor, informed in trial of the case conducted under section 302 of IPC it was established Shivnandan Ravidas sacrificed his nephew with help of Bilas Mandal in desire of having a child.
Deposition of total eight prosecution witnesses were recorded by court in course of trial the special public prosecutor said adding a fine of Rs 50000 has been also imposed on convicts apart from life imprisonment.
- Writer Avijit Biswas, former principal correspondent of Hindustan Times Bhagalpur bureau, can be contacted at biswasavijit@yahoo.comContact number (mobile): +919431095516
