The Gujarat police reported on Sunday that a 'tantrik' named Navalsinh Chavda, who was arrested earlier this month for allegedly planning to kill a man in Ahmedabad, died while in custody. The police said Chavda had confessed to killing 12 people using a toxic chemical.
Chavda was arrested around 1 am on December 3 after his business partner tipped off the police about his plan. He was taken into police custody, with his remand extended until 3 pm on December 10 to further investigate his occult practices and possible involvement in human sacrifices.
However, on Sunday morning, Chavda fell ill and was rushed to the civil hospital, but doctors declared him dead on arrival. A police official confirmed that he had passed away while being moved to the hospital.
During his interrogation, Chavda confessed to the murders of 12 people, all caused by the consumption of sodium nitrite, a toxic chemical.
What is sodium nitrite?
Deputy Commissioner of Police Shivam Verma explained that Chavda had made his victims drink sodium nitrite dissolved in water during occult rituals. The victims' deaths were caused by heart attacks within about 20 minutes of consuming the chemical.
Chavda murdered one person in Ahmedabad, six in Surendranagar (including three family members), three in Rajkot, and one each in Wankaner (Morbi district) and Anjar (Kutch district).
The police said Chavda obtained sodium nitrite, a chemical used for dry cleaning, from a laboratory in his hometown of Surendranagar.
They added that he portrayed himself as a "bhuvaji," claiming to have the power to perform magic and miracles. He lured his victims by promising to solve their problems and increase their wealth.
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