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11 suspects convicted of human sacrifice in Nawalparasi

11 suspects convicted of human sacrifice in Nawalparasi

By THT Online

Police parade suspects of the murder at a press conference in Nawalparasi on Saturday, July 25, 2015. (Left) Kodai Harijan confesses the murder of Jeevan Kohar (in inset) raising his hand. Photo: Shreeram Sigdel

NAWALPARASI: The District Court convicted 11 people, who were accused of sacrificing a 10-year-old boy in Kudiya VDC of Nawalparasi district, of murder and slapped life imprisonment on 10 of them. In a verdict on the July 21, 2015 case, judge Sweekrit Parajuli sent the eleventh convict to six months in jail, observing that he was a minor. Kodai Harijan, the mastermind of the human sacrifice, faces life term along with the confiscation of all his properties while nine others face life term as per the verdict. The victim, Jeevan Kohar, was Kodai Harijan's neighbour. Kodai Harijan kidnapped and murdered the minor boy in the name of sacrifice to a deity to ensure good health for his 18-year-old son, who was unwell. With a belief that human flesh would help his son get well, Kodai had slaughtered the boy with the help of three local shamans, who he had paid Rs 50,000 for the bloody rituals. All members of the Harijan family were tried on charge of their involvement in the spine-chilling crime. Other people who face the life term are identified as Kanti Harijan, Bijaya Harijan, Suryabhan Harijan, Sunita Harijan, Rudal Harijan, Buniya Harijan, Ramananda Harijan, Dinananda Harijanand Ganga Harijan and Laxmi Harijian, who is minor.   READ ALSO: