Superstition Turns Deadly: Man Beheads 17-Year-Old Relative in Prayagraj After Tantrik Claims Teen Was ‘Meant to Die’

Prayagraj (The Uttam Hindu): A horrifying case of superstition-driven murder has shocked Prayagraj, where a man brutally killed his own 17-year-old relative under the influence of a tantrik. The accused, identified as Sharan Singh, allegedly beheaded the teenager Piyush and dumped his severed head and torso at two different locations to conceal his identity.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (City) Abhishek Bharti revealed that Singh, who is the brother of the victim’s grandfather, was misled by a tantrik after losing both his son and daughter to suicide in 2023 and 2024. Seeking answers, Singh turned to black magic practices. The tantrik allegedly convinced him that his children had died because Piyush — who “was supposed to die instead” — had survived. He was told that killing Piyush would “set things right.”

On Tuesday, when Piyush, a Class 11 student, left for school, Singh lured him away and killed him using a saw. After the gruesome act, Singh wrapped the torso in a sari and dumped it in a drain in Naini Industrial Area, while the severed head was hidden in Saidpur Kachar in Kareli.

Police initially recovered a headless body from Naini but were unable to identify it. Meanwhile, when Piyush failed to return home, his mother lodged a missing complaint. During investigation, a woman informed police that she had seen a man dumping a sack from a scooter. Based on her description, police tracked Singh, who eventually confessed during interrogation. Acting on his disclosure, police recovered Piyush’s head the next day.

Authorities described the crime as “one of the most shocking and superstitious killings in recent memory.” The accused has been arrested, and further investigation into the role of the tantrik is underway.