Self-styled tantric Shrawan Mahto arrested after video of him swinging small children as part of ‘ritual’ goes viral
A self-styled tantric named Shrawan Mahto was arrested in Bihar's Sitamarhi district after a viral video showed him swinging toddlers during a ritual. Police have registered an FIR against him under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Juvenile Justice Act.
Why it matters
The incident underscores the persistence of harmful superstitious practices in rural areas and the role of social media in triggering legal intervention.
A video of a self-styled tantrik (occultalist) named Shrawan Mahto has gone viral on social media on Thursday (October 9, 2026) in which the stark red-attired man is seen swinging kids, mostly toddlers and bashing them on the ground in the name of “curing them.”
The so-called ritual was performed in the presence of the parents or relatives. The children could be heard crying constantly.
The incident is said to have happened at the crematorium ground of Mahadeopatti village under Parihar police station and of the same block of Sitamarhi district on Tuesday (October 6, 2026).
Police swung into action after the video went viral and arrested Mr. Mahato, who initially fled away. A policeman from Parihar police station confirmed his arrest to The Hindu .
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