Ahmedabad, November 2, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A 36-year-old man allegedly murdered his 10-year-old son by repeatedly smashing him against a goddess’s altar and attacking him with a stick, claiming that he wanted to end his family’s generations-old tradition of serving as a ‘bhuvo’ or spirit medium. The accused has been arrested by Ahmedabad Rural Police.
The horrific incident took place around 7 p.m. on November 1 near the altar of Jogani Mata in the courtyard of the accused’s house in Vinchhiya village of Sanand taluka.
According to the police investigation, the accused, identified as Nareshbhai Patel, allegedly held his son Karan by the legs and slammed him against the edge of the altar two to three times before striking his head with a stick, inflicting fatal injuries.
When the boy’s mother, Bharatiben, returned home after receiving information about the assault, she found her husband sleeping on a cot near their son’s body. Police personnel who reached the spot also found the accused asleep, wearing blood-stained clothes. The child’s body bore severe head injuries, while blood marks were found on the altar.
According to the FIR, when Bharatiben questioned her husband about the killing, he allegedly told her that his father had been a ‘bhuvo’ and that he had inherited the ritual practice.
He reportedly claimed that he had killed Karan to ensure that nobody else in the family followed the tradition.
Bharatiben had been staying with her parents in Sanand for around 10 days following a domestic dispute during which Naresh allegedly assaulted her. Karan had remained at home as his school examinations were approaching. She was informed about the attack on November 1.
A neighbour also alerted the police, following which personnel from Sanand police station reached the residence. The accused, who worked as a farm labourer and practised local rituals as a ‘bhuvo’, was arrested within hours.
Police have registered a murder case under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Officials said the accused did not appear to be mentally stable and that a psychological assessment would be conducted to determine his state of mind. Forensic evidence has also been collected from the crime scene.
Neighbours have reportedly told investigators that Naresh did not maintain cordial relations with people in the locality.
The investigation is underway.
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