A priest from Noida was allegedly held hostage in Jaunpur after a religious ritual failed to fulfill the suspects' wishes. Police have arrested two men and rescued the victim.
- Noida priest Anil Kumar Tiwari was held hostage in Jaunpur.
- Suspects demanded a ransom of ₹1 lakh after a ritual failed to fulfill their wish.
- Noida Police rescued the priest and arrested two suspects.
- Illegal weapons, including a pistol and knife, were recovered from the accused.
In a bizarre and chilling incident, a priest from Noida was allegedly taken hostage in Jaunpur because a religious ritual failed to grant the suspects' wishes. The victim, Anil Kumar Tiwari, a resident of Sarfabad village in Sector-73, Noida, was lured to Jaunpur under the pretext of performing an 'Anushthan' (ritual), only to find himself trapped in a criminal conspiracy.
According to the police investigation, the incident traces back to September 5, 2026, when Tiwari traveled to Jaunpur for a ritual. The suspects claimed that after the ceremony, their desired outcome or 'mannat' was not achieved. Instead of accepting the outcome, they allegedly blamed the priest and devised a plan to extort money, claiming they wanted to recover the expenses spent on the ritual.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that this case highlights a disturbing intersection between religious superstition and organized crime. When spiritual failures are met with criminal retaliation, it poses a significant threat to public safety and underscores the need for greater awareness against exploitation under the guise of faith.
The exploitation of religious belief for extortionary purposes is a growing concern for law enforcement agencies.
The situation escalated when the suspects contacted the priest's son, demanding a ransom of ₹1,00,000. Fearing for his father's life, the family alerted the Sector-113 police station in Noida. The police immediately initiated a high-tech investigation, utilizing electronic surveillance and technical intelligence to track the movement of the suspects.
The breakthrough came on the night of September 11-12, when police tracked the suspects to a secluded path near the Mukhiya Market. A swift operation led to the arrest of two individuals, identified as Ashish Yadav alias Baba and Pravesh Yadav alias Gore. Crucially, the police were able to rescue Anil Kumar Tiwari safely during the raid.
Crime Details at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Victim Name | Anil Kumar Tiwari |
| Primary Suspects | Ashish Yadav & Pravesh Yadav |
| Ransom Amount | ₹1,00,000 |
| Recovered Weapons | Pistol, Cartridges, and Knife |
During the arrest, police recovered a pistol and two live cartridges from Ashish Yadav, while a knife was found in the possession of Pravesh Yadav. The authorities are now investigating whether there was a deeper motive behind the kidnapping or if it was solely a premeditated act of extortion driven by the perceived failure of the ritual.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why did the suspects kidnap the priest?
They claimed the priest's ritual failed to fulfill their wish and sought to extort money as compensation.
2. What weapons were seized by the police?
Police recovered a pistol, live ammunition, and a knife from the arrested suspects.
