The episode followed the death of Moolchand, a resident of Jhirka Bagh, whose last rites were performed at the local cremation ground on Friday evening. According to the family, Balli Kushwaha, a member of the same community who attended the cremation, returned to the site alone around 11 pm.

Family members alleged that Balli disturbed the still-burning pyre, bathed in the ashes, and removed a skull and bones before leaving the premises. The matter surfaced the next morning when relatives reached the cremation ground to collect the remains and found the ashes scattered and human bones missing.

During a search of the area, a shawl left at the cremation site reportedly helped identify Balli. Police later recovered a polythene bag containing bones from outside his house. During questioning, Balli allegedly confessed to taking the remains.

Following the confession, members of the Kushwaha community allegedly subjected Balli to public humiliation. He was made to wear a garland of slippers and paraded through the neighbourhood. His family was also reportedly socially boycotted by the community.

Relatives told police that Balli’s actions were driven by personal distress. He had been married for 20 years without children and later remarried, but both children from the second marriage died. Family members claimed he was advised by an individual in Bhitarwar to perform a ritual involving bathing in cremation ashes, which was believed to help in having children.

Adding to the allegations, Rajkumar Kushwaha, Balli’s nephew, claimed that during the public humiliation, some individuals forced Balli to consume water mixed with filth. Balli is currently undergoing medical treatment.

Confirming police action, Sub-Divisional Police Officer Akansha Jain said the incident had been taken seriously.
“Appropriate action has been initiated. Those involved in the public humiliation and related acts have been arrested,” she said, adding that further investigation is ongoing.

Police are examining both aspects of the case—the alleged removal of human remains and the unlawful public punishment—to determine additional legal action. The incident has sparked concern among residents and renewed debate on superstition, vigilante justice, and the rule of law.