In Kerala Human Sacrifice, Mastermind Posed As "Sreedevi" On Social Media

Laila Singh is the wife of the third accused Bhagaval Singh. All three have taken part in the murder of two women, which were detected by the police earlier this week.

Mohammad Shafi -- the mastermind in the Kerala "human sacrifice" case -- posed as a woman on social media and befriended accused Bhagaval Singh. His account was named "Sreedevi" where he used photos of flowers as his DP, the police said. Later, he masqueraded as a holy man and offered to conduct pujas and rituals to rid the couple of misfortune and lead them to financial prosperity, sources in the police said.

There are indications that he had a physical relationship with Bhagaval Singh's wife Laila, which was passed off as a part of the rituals, the police also said. But this, an officer added, has to be proved independently and they are looking for "corroborative evidence". There are reports that the lawyer of the accused couple has denied any possibility of cannibalism -- another angle the police are exploring.

All three are accused of having taken part in the murder of two women, detected by the police earlier this week.

The police say Laila Singh and Shafi each had sexually abused and tortured one of the two victims and killed them. Shafi, the police said, is a psychopath and pervert who finds pleasure in cruelty. He had roped in the Singhs, brainwashing them with promises of riches after human sacrifice, the police said.