Eight-Year-Old Girl Murdered in India in Gruesome Ritual Sacrifice

A tragic incident in India has shocked the nation as an eight-year-old girl was brutally murdered, her eyes gouged out in what authorities describe as a ritual sacrifice. The girl’s body was discovered on August 9, 2023, leading to the arrest of four individuals connected to her abduction and death.

The victim, who has not been named, was taken from her village in the Munger district of Bihar while on her way home after delivering lunch to her father, a fisherman. The police reported that she was kidnapped by a group of men, including Dilip Kumar, who allegedly consulted a self-proclaimed sorcerer named Pervez Alam. Following years of unsuccessful attempts to conceive, Kumar sought Alam’s advice after his wife became pregnant.

According to investigators, Alam suggested a horrifying method to ensure a safe pregnancy: the expectant mother should wear an amulet made from the blood and eyes of a virgin girl. Motivated by this disturbing recommendation, Kumar, along with two accomplices, Tanveer Alam and an individual identified only as Dasarath, abducted the young girl.

The suspects transported her to a chicken farm in Padham village, where they are alleged to have performed rituals on her. Tragically, this culminated in her murder, with her eyes removed and fashioned into a necklace intended for the pregnant woman.

Local police registered the case as a murder and suspected sexual assault after finding evidence of injuries on the girl’s body. Police Superintendent J. J. Reddy stated, “Dilip’s wife had conceived after many unsuccessful years of pregnancy. Hence, he acted on the suggestion of the Tantrik from neighbouring Khagaria district, which led to the gruesome killing of the minor girl.”

Law enforcement authorities have expressed confidence in the evidence collected, suggesting that the suspects will face a swift trial. The case has drawn widespread outrage and raised concerns about the influence of superstition and ritualistic practices in some communities.

This incident is particularly poignant against the backdrop of another disturbing case in the United States. In May 2022, Ashley Parmeley, a 36-year-old mother from Festus, Missouri, was charged with the second-degree murder of her two young children. Parmeley confessed to police that she had attempted to kill her two-year-old son, Isaac, and later shot her nine-year-old daughter.

While the circumstances surrounding both cases are distinct, they highlight a troubling trend of violence associated with misguided beliefs and rituals. As investigations continue in both jurisdictions, the need for education and awareness around such dangerous practices becomes increasingly apparent.

The Indian police have stated their commitment to bringing the perpetrators to justice, emphasizing that the charge sheet will be submitted promptly to expedite the legal process.