'Godman' held in human sacrifice attempt case

GUWAHATI: In a major breakthrough, Darrang Police on Tuesday apprehended Ramesh Saharia, the self-styled god man who had allegedly influenced the family members of Jadab Saharia to sacrifice a 3-year-old child in Udalguri's Kalaigaon area. Saharia was on the run since the incident came to light. Meanwhile, the Udalguri district administration has also ordered a magisterial inquiry into the police firing incident that left Jadab Saharia, his wife Kalita and son Pulakesh injured.
"Saharia was nabbed from the Kuruwar area under Sipajhar police station where he was hiding at a relative's place," Amrit Bhuyan, superintendent of Darrang Police, told TOI. Saharia, while being taken to a local court in Udalguri, claimed that he was not involved in the incident. He, however, did admit that he was in touch with Jadab Saharia's family for a long time. "I have performed several pujas at Jadab's house. I am a priest, not a tantrik. Being a vegetarian and against any type of killing, I would never suggest them to perform a human sacrifice," Ramesh added. The court sent Ramesh to 5 days of police custody.
Jadad, who is presently undergoing treatment at GBalipara-Charduar-Tawang (BCT) Gauhati Medical College, blamed his deceased son Pulakesh for orchestrating Saturday's ritual. "On Saturday, he (Pulakesh) turned violent and forced all members of the family to disrobe their clothes and join him in the tantrik rituals. He put water in the fuel tanks of the vehicles and then torched our clothes and the vehicles," said Jadab alleging that his son was highly influenced by Ramesh.
Neighbours raised an alarm after they saw smoke rising from the house and called police and fire services. When the locals reached the spot, they found the family naked and performing a ritual with sharp weapons in their hands. It is then that they suspected that the family was trying to kill the 3-year-old child.