Occult vengeance: Farmer bludgeoned, body burnt in N’puram

Bhopal: A belief in occult practices and a thirst for revenge over a sudden death fueled a brutal murder in Narmadapuram district. Police arrested four people on Friday, including two juveniles, for killing a 20-year-old farmer and burning his body in a forest near Budhni to destroy evidence.Chandan Nagvanshi of Jabali village under Makhan Nagar police station went missing on Dec 23 after leaving home on his motorcycle. His sister reported him missing the next day, leading police to CCTV footage showing Chandan heading toward Budhni with four acquaintances but not returning with them.Investigators said the prime accused, Sushil Nagvanshi, held a grudge against Chandan's family after occult practitioners blamed neighbors for his mother's sudden death last month. Under the pretext of a party, the accused lured Chandan out, drank alcohol at multiple spots, and took him into a forested area near Midghat. There, after Chandan became heavily intoxicated, they allegedly bludgeoned him to death with stones.To cover their tracks, the group poured petrol on the body and the motorcycle and set them ablaze. Police recovered the charred remains, the burnt motorcycle, Chandan's mobile phone and a silver chain from the forest.A murder case was registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. All four accused, including the two juveniles, were taken into custody. Narmadapuram SP Sai Krishna Thota announced a reward for the team that cracked the case.