The Poona Poltergeist

In 1928, a young boy in Poona (now Pune), India, became the focus of poltergeist activity that was witnessed by British colonial officials. The case was documented in official reports and received attention in Britain.

The Activity

Stones appeared to materialize and fall around the boy. Objects moved in his presence. Furniture overturned. The phenomena were violent enough to injure people and damage property.

Official Involvement

British district officials investigated, suspecting trickery or native superstition. Instead, they witnessed phenomena they could not explain. One official reported seeing a stone appear in midair and fall beside the boy.

The Documentation

The case was written up in official colonial records and later published in British psychical research journals. The participation of skeptical colonial administrators added credibility to the account.

The Boy

The boy at the center of events was from a poor family. He appeared frightened by the phenomena rather than controlling them. No motive for fraud was apparent.

Assessment

The Poona poltergeist represents an important colonial-era case from India. The involvement of British officials who had every incentive to dismiss supernatural claims adds weight to the documentation.