Bihar Police have arrested Shravan Mahto, alias Shravan Bhagat, over allegations that children were subjected to inhumane physical treatment in the name of occult healing at Mahadevpatti village in Sitamarhi district's Parihar block. The arrest on 7 October 2026 follows a widely circulated video purportedly showing the accused grabbing, shaking, and throwing children to the ground — footage that triggered widespread public outrage, though it has not been independently verified.

How the Case Came to Light

The alleged practices only drew police attention after a video began circulating on social media, purportedly showing Shravan Mahto handling children in a violent manner while conducting what locals describe as tantra-mantra rituals. According to residents, Mahto had allegedly been operating at the premises of a cremation ground in Mahadevpatti for approximately four years, with people reportedly bringing children on Mondays and Fridays seeking relief from speech impediments, mobility difficulties, and other physical ailments.

When officers first reached the location, the accused had already fled. He was subsequently tracked down and detained. An FIR has been registered on the statement of Parihar Station House Officer Pankaj Kumar Yadav.

What the Accused Reportedly Told Police

During interrogation, Shravan Mahto allegedly stated that he administered consecrated rice grains — known as akshat — while invoking Goddess Kamakhya and Lord Narasimha. He reportedly claimed he had not been taught the practice by anyone, but had received the knowledge through a dream. Mahto also allegedly asserted that people had travelled from Nepal and as far as Australia to seek treatment, and that he had been practising the method for around a decade. He further claimed that no child had died during this period. Investigators have noted that these statements are part of the ongoing probe and have not been independently established.

Legal Provisions Invoked

Police have booked the accused under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. ASP Ashish Anand confirmed the arrest and said the matter was under full investigation. 'We are seeking to determine who brought the children to the site, how long the alleged practices had been continuing, and whether other people were involved,' Anand said.

Investigation Scope and Broader Questions

Investigators are examining the viral video, the accused's recorded statement, and testimony gathered from local residents to reconstruct the sequence of events and identify any other individuals who may have been involved. The case has also drawn scrutiny of the local administration's role, with questions arising about what measures were — or were not — in place to protect children from potentially harmful practices in the area. Notably, if the accused's own claim of operating for a decade is accurate, the alleged activity may have continued undetected for far longer than local accounts initially suggested.

As the investigation proceeds, authorities are expected to widen their inquiry to trace the families of children reportedly brought to the site, which could significantly expand the scope of the case.