Authorities in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, have apprehended six individuals in connection with the alleged murder of occultist Anish Upadhyay. The suspect arrests come following allegations that Upadhyay was summoned to conduct rituals after a family encountered financial difficulties and illness.
The accused have been named as Sonu, Vishal, Vikas Kumar Gond, Sahil Gond, Abhishek alias Rohit Kashyap, and Mohit Kashyap. They were taken into custody from various locations on August 13 and 14.
Upadhyay’s wife initially filed a missing person report at the Lalpur Pandeypur police station on July 9. On August 13, she lodged a written complaint asserting that her husband had been murdered and that his body had been concealed in bushes to destroy evidence.
Following the complaint, a First Information Report (FIR) No. 244/2026 was registered under Sections 191(2), 103(1), and 238 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Lalpur Pandeypur police station. Inspector-in-Charge Atul Kumar Singh is leading the investigation.
The accused reportedly informed police that their family had been affected by poverty and illness. Believing a malevolent spirit was involved, they contacted Upadhyay, who resided in Om Nagar Colony, Goithaha, within the jurisdiction of Lalpur Pandeypur police station, to perform rituals.
Statements from the accused indicate that despite Upadhyay conducting rituals for four to five days, the family’s problems persisted and they subsequently conspired to kill him with the assistance of relatives.
The accused allegedly lured Upadhyay to their rented residence in Kanchanpur, Manduadih, under the pretense that a friend was possessed. They reportedly assaulted him using a wooden stool, a domestic gas cylinder, and an iron rod, leading to his death.
To mask Upadhyay’s screams during the attack, music was played via a music system. The accused also attempted to erase bloodstains from the walls and floor and sprayed room freshener and body spray to conceal any odors.
Police recovered one wooden stool, one domestic gas cylinder, one iron rod, and a music system with speakers alleged to have been used in the incident.
Sonu was arrested on August 13 at the Lalpur Pandeypur police station. Vishal, Vikas, and Sahil were detained the same day near the road leading to Nai Basti from Kali Mata Temple at approximately 3:30 pm. Abhishek and Mohit were arrested near Ghanshyam PG College in Pandeypur at approximately 2:10 am on August 14.