In a disturbing event, a 38-year-old man named Sohan Singh from the Sarat police jurisdiction has been arrested for allegedly murdering his four-year-old son in Mayurbhanj, Odisha. Singh claimed that the dire financial situation he faced led him to commit this horrific act.

Authorities apprehended Sohan on Friday, subsequently presenting him in the SDJM court in Udala, where he was remanded into judicial custody.

According to police reports, Sohan resides with his wife and their five children, consisting of two sons and three daughters. A video surfaced in which he purportedly stated that he killed his son as a sacrifice to God. The tragic incident reportedly unfolded on Thursday when Sohan forcibly took his son, Dumbi Singh, from his wife’s arms and attacked him with a chopper, inflicting severe injuries.

The child’s mother and nearby residents quickly transported the unconscious boy to Sarat hospital, and later he was moved to the Udala sub-divisional hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Hospital staff alerted the police upon suspecting foul play.

In response, Udala police informed Sarat police, and a team led by Sarat IIC Ramakanta Patra arrived at the hospital, where they confiscated the child’s remains for a postmortem examination. Sohan was arrested at his home shortly thereafter.

Based on a complaint from a relative of the accused, authorities have initiated a murder investigation. During initial questioning, Sohan claimed that his financial struggles compelled him to take such a drastic action. He reportedly stated, “I could not provide for my wife and children. I have no regular job and rarely get wage work. I lost patience and took the drastic step.” He further mentioned to investigators that he viewed the killing of his son as a sacrifice to God.