For 'hidden treasure' minor sacrificed by parents

Fourteen year old Mamta (name changed) had no idea that her parents were going to sacrifice her as they felt that they could unearth hidden treasure if they did so.

In a shocking incident, a couple allegedly sacrificed their minor daughter in Uttar Pradesh's Kannauj district, about 150 kilometres from here, on the prodding of a 'tantrik' to get rich.

According to the police sources here, all the three accused-the parents and the exorcist-have been arrested and sent to jail.

Sources said that Mahaveer Pal, a resident of Madhav Nagar village in the district, had been under the influence of tantrik Krishna Sharma. Sharma had told Pal that there was a treasure hidden inside the nearby forest but it could be unearthed only if a girl was sacrificed.

Apparently intoxicated by the mere thought of becoming rich, Pal persuaded his wife to agree to his plan of sacrificing their daughter, who was a student of 10th standard.

As per the plan, the couple reached a temple inside the forest with Mamta. The tantrik was already there. The couple allegedly strangled Mamta there and handed over her body to Sharma.

As expected the tantrik failed to lead the couple to the hidden treasure. The couple then approached the cops and lodged a report accusing the tantrik of luring away their daughter.

The matter came to light, when the tantrik revealed the truth during interrogation following which the police on Wednesday arrested the couple.

The body of Mamta was also recovered from the forest by the police. A case was registered against the trio, the police said. The body of Mamta has been sent for postmortem examination, police sources said.

Earlier also there have been several instances, where girls have been sacrificed for attaining supernatural powers or hidden treasures.