Human sacrifice: FIR against scientists

Shridha Sharma, wife of Defence Research and Development Establishment scientist (B) Sushil Kumar Mishra, in her complaint lodged four days ago, accused two senior scientists of attempting human sacrifice on her husband, which he escaped.

The accused, identified as M Kameshwar Rao (scientist C) and ASSV Bhaskar, were charged under sections 506 (criminal intimidation), 342 (wrongful confinement), 323 (causing hurt) and 34 (act done by persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.

In a statement, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), however, did not name Bhaskar and maintained that the reason for Mishra’s staying back at Rao’s house late on the night of October 6 is not known. Rao’s wife was not at home then.

All were working at the DRDE, which makes antidotes against biological and chemical weapons and prepares the armed forces against nuclear, biological and chemical warfare. The laboratory comes under the DRDO.

Both Rao and Mishra were underperformers at the laboratory. Rao was disturbed and depressed which was visible to his neighbours and wife a few days before the alleged incident took place and even on October 5.  In fact, some of Rao’s relatives were on their way to Gwalior to take him back home for comforting and treating him. On the night of October 6, Mishra went to Rao’s house at Rakhsa Vihar.  Because of his husband’s depressed mood and arrival of relatives from his side, Rao’s wife went to one of the neighbour’s house.

It appears that Mishra wanted to stay with Rao, the reason for which is not known.
Close to midnight, a loud noise came from Rao’s house and several scientists living in the colony rushed to the spot. When they banged on the door, Rao opened.  Both Rao and Mishra came out with injuries. 

According to the FIR, Rao and Bhaskar made bids to sacrifice Sharma with sharp edge weapons amidst chanting of mantras. On October 9, Rao and his wife left with their relatives for medical advice.  The same night Mishra complained to the police and started feeding his story to the media without official permission, the DRDO said.