Delhi occultist held for murdering three in ‘dhanvarsha’ ritual
Delhi occultist held for murdering three in ‘dhanvarsha’ ritual
Police say a 72-year-old occultist poisoned laddus to lure three people into a ritual promising quick money, ending in their deaths in Delhi’s Peeragarhi area.
Three people were found unconscious in a car parked under a flyover in west Delhi, an incident that police initially treated as suicide. On Wednesday, investigators moved to murder charges after relatives questioned how the bodies were discovered and the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Kamruddin alias Baba, a 72-year-old who ran a 'Tantric Centre' in Loni, Ghaziabad, was arrested and later confessed to the killings. Police say he prepared laddus laced with poison and served them along with liquor, as part of a ritual he described as a way to bring victims a “dhanvarsha” or windfall money. He allegedly sought cash and valuables from the victims, amounting to about ₹2 lakh, and then left the scene.
The victims were identified as Randhir, 76, of Baprola; Shiv Naresh, 42, of Nagli Dairy; and Laxmi, 40, of Jahangirpuri. They were not related to one another, but had met Kamruddin on the day of the incident through Laxmi, who had first approached him for help with her ailing husband. Investigators say Laxmi introduced the others to the occultist, who purported to enhance their fortunes.
Police recovered a range of evidence from the car, including liquor and soft-drink bottles, empty glasses, mobile phones and personal belongings. Investigators noted that there had been four people in the car, contradicting the initial three deaths, and that Kamruddin had accompanied the group back from his Loni centre, where he allegedly administered the poisoned laddus. According to the deputy commissioner of police, the poison and alcohol together led to the deaths, and the suspect confessed to his role in the killings.
Authorities say the case pivots on the victims’ belief in the promise of sudden wealth through tantric rituals, and the investigation is continuing to determine the full sequence of events and whether more people were involved. The outcome of the case could prompt wider questions about the exploitation of vulnerable individuals through superstition and ritual tricks.
