The custodian of a local shrine and his accomplices murdered 20 devotees after intoxicating them in eastern Punjab province, police said Sunday, in what officials are calling a cult ritual. Liaquat Ali Chatta, government administrator of the area, said the custodian, Abdul Waheed, and his four alleged accomplices have been arrested and the matter is being investigated. Chatta said the custodian was allegedly in the practice of "beating and torturing" devotees to "cleanse" them. The shrine was built about two years ago on the grave of local religious leader Ali Mohamamd Gujjar. Police said the victims were killed at a house adjacent to the shrine and their clothing was found burned.

Source: CBC News April 02, 2017 11:26 UTC