Jaipur, 23 October (Udaipur Kiran): Bharatpur police have arrested a man in connection with a gruesome murder of a two-year-old boy whose skull was recovered nearly two years ago, officials said.

Under the direction of District Superintendent of Police Digant Anand, a crackdown by the Bharatpur police has solved a long-pending homicide case. The accused, identified as Vijay Singh Jatav, son of Harphool, 68, a resident of Nagla Kharbera in Vair police station area, is a practitioner of tantric rituals, police said. He is alleged to have kidnapped two-year-old Golu and severed the child’s head with a sharp weapon.

Police said the case began on 18 December 2021, when Banai Singh of Nagla Kharbera reported to Vair police station that his brother Balveer’s roughly two-year-old son Golu went missing from home around noon. An FIR was registered and investigation began.

After an extended search, a severed child’s skull was recovered near the scene in nearby fields and jungle on 9 January 2022. The skull was sent to the FSL for DNA testing; the report confirmed it belonged to the missing child Golu, prompting addition of murder and evidence-destruction sections to the case.

Given the gravity of the crime, police shortlisted suspects. When a polygraph produced no conclusive evidence, authorities — with permission from police headquarters — conducted brain-mapping and narco-analysis tests on selected suspects. Following intensive interrogation and these examinations, police arrested tantric practitioner Vijay Singh Jatav.

During questioning, the accused allegedly confessed that the motive was revenge arising from a love affair. He told investigators that Balveer and a woman were in a relationship; Vijay Singh wanted to be with the same woman. Around five to seven days before the killing, he tried to force himself on the woman; she threatened to defame him in the village. Although she did not inform villagers, she told Balveer, who confronted Vijay Singh and argued with him. After the dispute, Vijay Singh allegedly threatened to harm Balveer and kill the child.

Police allege that on 18 December 2021, Vijay Singh abducted Golu and killed him by beheading to teach Balveer and his partner a lesson. Investigations, further questioning of the accused and gathering of additional evidence are continuing.

The police team that worked the case was supervised by Additional Superintendent of Police Vair Ramgopal and Circle Officer Bhusawar Dharmendra. The team included SHO Vair Netaram and personnel from Vair police station, the CO office Bhusawar, and the cyber team.