Five held for murder of self-styled tantrik

 

By Sagaya Fernando| August 16, 2025

Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, INDIA: Police have arrested five men for the murder of a 45-year-old occult practitioner, whose body was found in a Bulandshahr canal on August 3. The killing was allegedly masterminded by a villager who believed the victim had “hypnotised” his wife, leading to their separation.

The deceased, identified as Naresh Prajapati (45) of Roza Jalalpur village in Bisrakh, went missing on August 2. Police said he was lured by the accused on the pretext of performing a ritual, strangled with his own towel, and later his body was dumped by a canal in Bulandshahr’s Narsena area.

The accused have been identified as Neeraj Kumar (Hapur), Sunil Kumar (Greater Noida), Saurabh Kumar and Praveen Mavi (both Bulandshahr), and Praveen Sharma (Roza Jalalpur, Bisrakh). A sixth suspect, Saurabh’s brother, remains absconding.

According to investigators, Sharma suspected Prajapati of using supernatural powers to influence his wife, who had eloped in 2022. “Sharma believed the tantrik was behind his wife’s decision to leave. He promised land and luxury cars to those who would help eliminate him,” said Assistant Commissioner of Police (Central Noida) Diksha Singh.

Police said Neeraj, along with his associates, roped in others to execute the plan. On July 24, they met in Noida and finalised the murder. On August 2, Prajapati was picked up in a Swift Dzire car, strangled, and later assaulted with a sharp weapon before his body was dumped.

The breakthrough came during a vehicle-checking drive near Chipiyana Buzurg on Thursday August 14 night when police intercepted a speeding car. The suspects allegedly tried to flee and even fired at the police. In retaliatory fire, Neeraj and Sunil were shot in the legs, while the others were caught during a combing operation.

Police have recovered the vehicle, the towel used in the murder, and other weapons. A case under Section 103 (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has been registered at Bisrakh police station. Further investigation is underway.