A midnight occult ritual was allegedly performed at a cremation ground in Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur district using a photograph of Chhattisgarh High Court Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha in an attempt to secure a favourable order in a pending bail matter, according to the reported details of the incident. Villagers caught one of the four persons allegedly involved, while three others managed to escape.
The incident took place on Friday night at a cremation ground in Deori village under the jurisdiction of Sipat police station. Villagers, who noticed suspicious activity at the site late at night, reached the cremation ground and found the group allegedly conducting the ritual.
As local residents surrounded the spot, three persons fled in the darkness. The villagers apprehended a fourth person, identified as Rishikesh Kumar, and handed him over to the police.
Chief Justice’s Photograph Found With Ritual Items
During an inspection of the site, police found a photograph of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha along with photographs of two other unidentified persons.
Dead fish, lemons, vermilion, coconuts and other items allegedly being used for the ritual were also recovered from the cremation ground.
The incident drew attention after villagers discovered that the ritual was being conducted with the Chief Justice’s photograph.
Bail Plea Allegedly Behind Ritual
According to the preliminary information gathered during questioning, the alleged ritual was linked to a bail petition pending before the Chhattisgarh High Court.
A close relative of one of the suspects is reportedly in jail in connection with a serious stabbing case and had moved the High Court seeking bail.
The apprehended suspect told police that contact had earlier been established through social media with a self-styled occult practitioner.
According to the account given during questioning, the practitioner allegedly persuaded the group that performing a ritual over the photograph of the presiding judge at a cremation ground could influence the proceedings and help secure a favourable bail order for the jailed relative.
Police Search For Three Others
Sipat police took Rishikesh Kumar into custody for further questioning and launched a search for the three other persons who allegedly participated in the ritual before fleeing from the spot.
Investigators are also trying to identify and trace the self-styled occult practitioner who allegedly advised the group to carry out the ritual.
Police are examining the involvement of all those connected with the incident and have indicated that appropriate legal provisions will be invoked against those found responsible.
