Human sacrifice suspected when man kills grandmother and then attempts suicide

A police team arrived at the scene after being alerted by local people. (Representational)

Durg, Chattisgarh:

In a suspected case of “human sacrifice”, a man allegedly killed his grandmother and offered her blood in a “shivling” before trying to end her life in Chhattisgarh’s Durg district, police said on Sunday.

The incident, which appears to be a result of superstition, took place on Saturday night in Nankatti village under Nandini police station limits, said Sanjay Pundhir, police sub-divisional officer, Dhamdha area.

After being alerted about the incident by local residents, a police team reached the spot and sent the body of the woman, identified as Rukmani Goswami (70), for post-mortem.

The accused, Gulshan Goswami (30), was admitted to a hospital in a critical condition, the official said.

According to preliminary information, Gulshan lived with his grandmother in a room near the Lord Shiva temple and used to perform daily rituals at the temple, he said.

On Saturday night, he allegedly killed his grandmother with a trident in their home and offered her blood at the temple’s “bar,” the official said.

The man then returned home and attacked himself with the same pitchfork in the neck, causing serious injuries, he said.

Gulshan has been admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the state capital Raipur, he said.

“Prima facie, the incident appears to be the result of superstition. A case has been registered in this connection and further investigations are underway,” Pundhir said.

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