BK Singh
In a chilling reminder of how blind faith in superstition can destroy lives, the Prayagraj Police have arrested Munna Lal, a self-proclaimed Tantrik from Kaushambi district, for masterminding the brutal murder of 17-year-old Piyush Singh.
His alleged accomplice, property dealer Saran Singh, carried out the heinous crime under Lal’s manipulative guidance.
During intense interrogation, Munna Lal revealed a disturbing sequence of events that shocked even seasoned investigators. Lal reportedly persuaded Saran Singh to butcher Piyush’s body into nine pieces and scatter them in specific compass directions—south, southwest, and north—claiming this ritual would “end his misfortunes” and bring peace.
A Tantrik’s Grip Over a Troubled Man
Police investigations revealed that Munna Lal, a native of Dhuskaha village in Kaushambi, had been living in a rented room in Kareilly. He met Saran Singh at a local labor crossing about a year and a half ago and soon became a regular presence in his household.
Saran Singh, struggling in his real estate business and reeling from the tragic loss of two daughters, was emotionally vulnerable.
Lal exploited this grief, visiting frequently to perform occult rituals, deepening Saran’s belief that mystical practices could resolve his problems.
Over time, Lal convinced him that the key to ending his misery lay in the death of Piyush, who was distantly related to Saran. Lal claimed Piyush’s family was “cursed” and that eliminating the boy would free him from misfortune.
The Crime and Its Aftermath
Acting on this horrifying suggestion, Saran Singh carried out the murder with ruthless precision. Lal fled soon after the crime but was tracked down by the police. The occultist confessed not only to masterminding the murder but also to taking nearly ₹50,000 from Saran over the course of their association.
Piyush’s tragic murder has sent shockwaves through the region, leaving behind a grieving family and a community horrified by the cruelty rooted in superstition. Police confirmed that Saran had recently shifted from his Sadiyapur residence to a house in Kalyani Devi, maintaining close contact with Lal until the day of the killing.
Police Response
Both accused men have now been arrested and remanded to judicial custody. The investigation, led by ACP Kareilly Rajkumar Meena and SHO Ashish Singh, has brought into sharp focus the growing menace of occult practices preying on vulnerable individuals.
A Stark Reminder of Superstition’s Deadly Consequences
This case isn’t just a criminal investigation—it is a wake-up call. Superstitions, fueled by manipulators posing as spiritual healers, continue to wreak havoc on Indian society. Vulnerable families, blinded by grief and desperation, fall prey to these so-called “Tantriks,” often leading to irreversible tragedies.
Munna Lal’s arrest exposes how fear and ignorance create fertile ground for exploitation. While the law has caught up with the perpetrators, no punishment can undo the trauma inflicted on Piyush’s family.
As India strides forward in science and technology, such incidents highlight an uncomfortable truth: education alone is not enough to uproot centuries-old superstition. It takes community awareness, stronger policing of fraudulent spiritual practices, and a cultural shift toward rationality to ensure no more innocent lives are sacrificed at the altar of blind belief.
