Tantrik recommends rhino sacrifice for finding groom

The accused Shamshuddin Shahbuddin Malik,a Mira Road resident,had placed advertisements about his ‘powers’ in newspapers. After noticing the advertisement,the victim had approached him. However,he had convinced her into believing that he was capable of fulfilling all her wishes.

In November 2008,Malik rented a room in Dadar west to carry out his tantrik business. In February 2009,the Shivaji Park police received a complaint from an Andheri resident who alleged that Malik had duped her of Rs 2.8 lakh. However,the police finally arrested Malik on Monday by tracking his phone.

“The victim is an Andheri resident. She is educated and works in a corporate company. She saw Malik’s advertisements in the newspaper and approached him seeking his help to find a match. After insisting that the woman will have to offer sacrifice,if her wishes have to be fulfilled,Malik brought a mud pot and said that ‘whatever sacrifice the pot accepts,she should give’,” said Police Inspector Vinay Kulkarni of the Shivaji Park police station.

“Malik had initially ‘asked’ the pot if a rooster sacrifice would do. But the pot didn’t jiggle the way it was expected to. Then he went on to offer goats and buffaloes. Finally,he told the woman that she should agree for a rhino sacrifice. When she agreed to it,the pot started moving on its own. During the interrogation,Malik revealed that he used to tie a black thread to his toe and attach it to the pot. He could control the pot using the thread whenever he wanted to do so,” said Kulkarni.

According to the police,Malik’s father stays with his family in Uttar Pradesh and the family breeds buffaloes. Malik,a standard seven dropout,had moved to Mumbai 18 years ago and owns a house in Mira Road.

“The accused confessed to have committed the crime but we are yet to recover the money from him. It’s possible that he has duped several others. We are awaiting similar complaints,” said Police Sub-Inspector Shashikant Yadav.