Magician8217; held

VADODARA, AUG 3: In a bizarre case, a self-proclaimed magician residing in Juna Diva village of Ankleshwar taluka, Bharuch district, was arrested on Tuesday in connection with the death of two village youths a fortnight ago.According to the police, the magician, by the name of Bhikha Soma, had told the two youths 8212; Girish Patel and Munna Patel 8212; that he could teach them black magic if they were ready to eat human liver and bury the skull and jaw of a girl in their kitchen. He had told the youths that they could perform miracles after learning his craft, the police said.

Thereafter, Soma allegedly offered juice of a human liver to the two youths, who became unconscious after consuming it. He then advised the youths8217; parents to solicit the advise of a magician in the neighbouring Hansod village. However, the two expired before Hansod magician could be contacted. In her complaint to the police, Girish Patel8217;s mother alleged that Soma was an anti-social element of the village and had tricked her son into wanting to learn the magic. The Ankleshwar city police raided Juna Diva village on Monday and arrested the magician. The case is being investigated further.