Kanpur Shocker: Man Tries to Kill Daughter in Name of Black Magic, Held by Police near Ramganga Canal

A shocking case has surfaced from Kanpur district, where a father allegedly attempted to sacrifice his eight-year-old daughter in the name of superstition and occult rituals. The horrifying act was thwarted when the child screamed for help, alerting nearby residents who rushed to the spot and rescued her in time. Following the incident, enraged locals caught hold of the accused father and assaulted him before handing him over to the police. The disturbing episode has raised serious concerns about the continued influence of blind faith and dangerous practices in certain communities, prompting authorities to initiate a detailed investigation into the matter and its background.

The incident took place near the Ramganga Canal, barely 300 metres from the Bidhnu police station. The accused, identified as Saurabh Saini from Aundha village, had been constructing a new house along with his brother. Family members revealed that Saurabh had been suffering from mental health issues for a long time and had become deeply involved in occult practices and superstitions. His behaviour had reportedly grown increasingly erratic in recent months. Despite living close to a police station, the crime unfolded in a relatively isolated stretch near the canal, where there were no immediate witnesses at the time of the incident.

According to his brother Rahul Saini, Saurabh was given ₹80,000 for house construction, but instead of using the money for its intended purpose, he spent it on items such as a trolley bag, a swing, new clothes for his daughter, expensive sarees, and makeup products. On Saturday, Saurabh reportedly wore a new saree and dressed his daughter Vaishnavi in new clothes before taking her to the canal. Seizing the isolated moment, he allegedly tried to strangle the child. Her desperate screams were heard by passersby on the opposite side of the canal, who immediately jumped in and rushed to rescue her, preventing a tragedy.

During police interrogation, Saurabh denied attempting to kill his daughter and made a bizarre claim that the spirit of his “transgender father” had instructed him to commit the act. Family members disclosed that his father used to dress as a woman and sell flowers, and Saurabh’s behaviour changed drastically after his father’s death. His wife had left him seven years ago, after which he became more deeply entrenched in superstition. After the incident, the child was handed over to her uncle Rahul Saini and aunt Lakshmi, while the accused remains in police custody. Authorities have stated that strict charges will be filed if evidence of ritualistic intent is confirmed, and a mental health evaluation will also be conducted.