The Varanasi Police in Uttar Pradesh have arrested six individuals linked to the murder of occultist Anish Upadhyay. Upadhyay was reportedly invited to perform rituals for a family facing financial difficulties and health issues. His death has raised concerns about the influence of occult practices in the region.
The Varanasi Police in Uttar Pradesh have arrested six people in connection with the alleged murder of occultist Anish Upadhyay, who was reportedly called to perform rituals after the family faced financial troubles and illness.
The accused have been identified as Sonu, Vishal, Vikas Kumar Gond, Sahil Gond, Abhishek alias Rohit Kashyap, and Mohit Kashyap. Suspecting the presence of a malevolent spirit, they contacted occultist Baba Anish Upadhyay, a resident of Om Nagar Colony, Goithaha, under Lalpur Pandeypur police station, to perform rituals. They then allegedly planned his murder along with their relatives. They allegedly assaulted him with a wooden stool, a domestic gas cylinder, and an iron rod, resulting in his death. The accused allegedly played music on a music system to mask the deceased’s screams during the assault.
They were arrested from different locations on August 13 and 14, police said.
Poverty and illness had affected their family, according to the statements of the accused. The accused told police that Upadhyay performed rituals for four to five days, but the family’s problems worsened. The accused called Upadhyay to their rented house in Kanchanpur, Manduadih, on the pretext that their friend was possessed, according to police. They also cleaned blood stains from the walls and floor and sprayed room freshener and body spray to conceal the smell, according to police. Police said one wooden stool, one domestic gas cylinder, one iron rod, and one music system with speakers allegedly used in the incident were recovered.
