Khatima: Tharu man's land allegedly grabbed with lure of 100 kg gold buried in it; six booked, four accused arrested

In Khatima, land beside the highway belonging to a man from the Tharu tribe was allegedly grabbed after he was lured with a claim that 100 kg of gold was buried in it. According to CO Neeraj Semwal, Randeep Singh, son of Umesh Kumar, of Bhood Maholiya, reported that his father owned about one and a half to two bighas of land next to the highway. The accused allegedly used the lure of buried gold to take money in instalments for tantric rituals, prayers and other arrangements, had signatures and thumbprints put on documents, and then, through fear and pressure, got the land registered. They are also accused of threatening to hold the victim captive in a car and to frame him in a false rape case through a woman. The registry papers mention a cash payment of ₹86 lakh. According to Dainik Bhaskar, police have booked six accused and arrested four; one is absconding and a tantrik named in the case has died (Dainik Jagran reported a case against nine people). Police are also examining the role of others, including those who carried out the registry. (Source: Dainik Bhaskar)