Man uses Chief Justice photo in ritual to seek bail for relative

Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur Police questioned a man over an alleged tantrik ritual using the Chief Justice's photograph. Investigators say the act was meant to influence a relative's bail case, prompting a warning against such superstition.

In Short

• Villagers noticed suspicious activity at Devri cremation ground late Friday night
• Three men escaped, while Rishikesh Kumar was caught and handed over
• Police recovered fish, lemons, vermilion and multiple photographs from the spot

A man was questioned by Bilaspur Police on Saturday for taking part in a 'tantrik' ritual using a photograph of the Chief Justice of the Chhattisgarh High Court in an attempt to secure bail for a relative, officials said.

The incident came to light after villagers in Devri village spotted four men carrying out suspicious activities at a cremation ground on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday. Three men fled, while one, identified as Rishikesh Kumar, was caught and handed over to the police.

Superintendent of Police Rajnesh Singh said police recovered ritual material from the spot, including a fish, lemons, vermilion, and photographs of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and two other persons. According to police, one of the photographs was of Priyanshu Bole, while another was of the victim in a stabbing case.

During questioning, Kumar allegedly told the police that his relative, Priyanshu Bole, had been arrested along with a few others in the stabbing case. While one of the accused had got bail, the bail pleas of the others were still pending before the court.

Kumar allegedly told the police that he and his three friends had gone to the cremation ground after watching a video of a tantrik who claimed that such a ritual could help secure bail. Further investigation is underway, Singh said.

Warning against such acts, Singh said strict action would be taken against anyone performing these rituals. "Bail can not be obtained by performing any ritual. Criminals should reform themselves," he said. The police said the questioning and investigation are continuing.

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