Spirituality

Gujarat police arrest father over alleged killing of his 10-year-old son

A father in Gujarat was arrested after allegedly killing his 10-year-old son in an attempt to end a family tradition of serving as spirit mediums, NDTV reports. The incident took place on November 1 in Vinchiya village, near Sanand.

The boy, Karan, died after an alleged assault near an altar to the local deity Jogani Mata. His father, Naresh Patel, worked as a farm labourer and served as a bhuvo, or spirit medium, a role his own father had held before him, according to NDTV and Madhyamam.

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The family tradition and alleged motive#

Police believe Naresh wanted to prevent the role from passing to another generation of his family, NDTV Profit reports. According to Madhyamam, the police complaint says he told his wife that his attack on Karan was meant to stop anyone else in the family from becoming a bhuvo.

A spirit medium is a practitioner who purports to communicate between living people and spirits, according to Wikipedia's description of mediumship. NDTV reports that Naresh and his father had both served in that role in their community.

Karan's mother, Bharatiben, had gone to her parents' home about 10 days before the incident after a domestic dispute, NDTV reports. With his school examinations approaching, Karan stayed home. Madhyamam reports that Bharatiben returned after being informed of the assault.

Police investigate the alleged assault#

Residents heard screams near the family's house and the altar at around 7 p.m., according to NDTV. Madhyamam reports that a neighbour alerted police, and officers from Sanand police station went to the house.

Police found Karan on a cot with severe head injuries and Naresh asleep on a separate cot in blood-stained clothes, NDTV reports. Police allege that Naresh had held the boy by his legs, struck him against the altar and then hit him with a stick.

Bharatiben filed a complaint, and police arrested Naresh and registered a case under section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, NDTV reports. Police have seized evidence for forensic laboratory analysis and plan a psychological evaluation of the accused.

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