The Gujarat police on Sunday reported that a self-proclaimed ‘tantrik,’ arrested earlier this month for allegedly planning a murder in Ahmedabad, died in custody. Authorities claim he admitted to murdering 12 individuals using a toxic chemical.
Navalsinh Chavda was arrested by the Sarkhej police on 3 December after a tip from his business partner. According to the police, he was on his way to perform the crime when he was detained. Chavda had been sent to remand till December 10 for further interrogation into his occult practices and suspected involvement in human sacrifice.
On Sunday morning, Chavda fell ill and died while being transported to a hospital. A police official told PTI, “Around 10 am on Sunday, Chavda fell ill and was rushed to the civil hospital in an ambulance, but the doctors declared him dead on arrival.”
During interrogation, Chavda reportedly confessed to the killing of 12 persons by making them ingest sodium nitrite, a chemical commonly used in dry cleaning. “The accused confessed to 12 murders during interrogation, and all deaths had occurred due to consumption of sodium nitrite,” an official confirmed.
‘Sodium Nitrite Dissolved In Water’
Chavda murdered the people during black magic rituals. He used sodium nitrite dissolved in water, which he made his victims drink while telling them that it was an integral part of a black magic ritual. Among his victims was one from Ahmedabad, six from Surendranagar (of whom three belonged to his own family), three from Rajkot, one from Wankaner, Morbi district, and one from Anjar in Kutch district.
Chavda procured the sodium nitrite from the laboratory in his native town Surendranagar. The killer chemical, which would induce deadly heart attacks within 20 minutes of ingestion, was to be a central element of his strategy.
Miracle and Fortune Doubling Claims
The self-proclaimed ‘bhuvaji’ had boasted of his magical powers and miracles. He had enticed his victims by telling them that he could solve all their problems and multiply their wealth, only to eventually trap them in his lethal rituals.
The authorities are now probing deeper into his activities and the extent of his alleged crimes.
