After viral video, man arrested for tantric rituals at crematorium

Rajkot: Ashwin Makwana, a 29-year-old man, was arrested by Dhoraji police on Tuesday for allegedly performing tantric rituals at Dhoraji Hindu Crematorium in the Kumbharwada area of the town. The alleged offence came to light after a video of Makwana performing rituals went viral on social media. He later deleted the video to protect himself.
Inspector R J Godham of Dhoraji City police station, filed a complaint against Makwana under the Gujarat Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2024, and for destruction of evidence under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
According to the FIR, informants revealed that Makwana was seen performing rituals with a black cloth, coconuts and seemingly inedible items while chanting unknown tantric mantras at the crematorium. He claimed these rituals granted him special powers to perform miracles and that he could use black magic for good and evil purposes. Makwana even lay on a pyre in the crematorium with various materials to create the impression he had magic powers.
During questioning, Makwana admitted to conducting private rituals related to black magic to "teach a lesson to those who mocked him and his ideas". He confessed to collecting materials related to black magic to create an impression of having special powers and to instil fear among people.
Makwana uploaded videos of his rituals on Instagram but deleted the viral video after it gained attention on social media.