Family Accused of Trying to ‘Sacrifice’ 1-Year-Old Girl

The locals rescued the girl child after hearing her cries.

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In a horrifying incident, a family in Karnataka's Belagavi has been booked for allegedly trying to sacrifice a 14-month-old girl child in the belief that the act would help them find treasure.

According to reports, the accused, Shirina Jamadar, Musabi Mulla, Javed Mulla, Faruque Mulla and Sona Mulla, attempted to bury their landlord Mohammad Ghose Peerzade’s daughter, in a pit dug inside their rented house at Bhadkal Galli near Khadebazaar.

The incident came to light on 18 September, a day before Mahalaya Amavasya. According to Peerzade, the family had been living in the house for the past three years and had said they would vacate the house next month.

Peerzade said that his daughter used to visit the family often. Over the last few days, the family dug up a 6 foot long 4 foot wide pit inside the house, in which they were planning to bury the child, reports Deccan Chronicle.

Local residents rescued the child upon hearing her cry. Following a complaint at Market police station, one of the accused, Shirina, was arrested. According to reports, the other family members are absconding.

“A black mask, some incense sticks, oil and a lemon were found near the pit. We are looking into whether the accused were trying some kind of black magic or whether the allegations are false,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Amarnath Reddy told The Hindu.

(This article was originally published in The News Minute, and has been republished here with permission.)