However, this is not the first corpse to be stolen from the area. As many as 25 bodies have disappeared from the graves in the past 18 months. Police suspect involvement of a racket behind the incidents and have stepped up vigilance around the area. [break]
Bodies between two months to 20 months old have been stolen from the grave. Initially, only skulls were disappearing from the grave. But these days, whole bodies are disappearing. Small human bones can be found scattered around the grave.
Saints living in the temple premises expressed ignorance about the goings-on.
“We don´t know who takes away the bodies, and why,” said Suratnath Yogi.
As per the yogi tradition, the dead are buried in the grave in an upright position.
There have been instances when the bodies disappeared barely 15 to 20 days after burial.
Police say tantriks in India pay huge sums of money for human skulls, who then sell them to tourists for a higher price. With dead bodies disappearing from the temple compound, locals say they will start guarding the graves themselves.
The local yogi community is worried about the thefts and is considering whether to opt for cremation instead of burial, according to Rajij Yogi, a local.
The District Police Office sent officers to inquire about the matter after being questioned by journalists about the incidents.
“It appears to be the work of skull smugglers,” said DSP Laxman Giri, adding, “We will investigate further.”
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