UP boy, 10, dies; family keeps corpse outside village for rituals
In Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, 10-year-old Kapil Jatav died from a snakebite on the night of Diwali (October 21), 2025.
Even after doctors declared him dead at the hospital, his family—encouraged by neighbors—turned to tantriks (sorcerers) in hopes of reviving him.
When rituals in Mathura didn't work, they brought Kapil's body back to the village and kept it outside the village, covered with neem leaves and cow dung cakes, for three days as part of further rituals.
No arrests have been made yet
Police were called only after all revival attempts failed; they recovered Kapil's body for autopsy four days after death.
No arrests or charges have been made yet, but an investigation is ongoing.
The incident has sparked conversations about how superstitions and blind faith still influence decisions in rural India today.