New Delhi: A 60-year-old woman was allegedly stripped and tied to a tree after she was branded a witch by some people in Sahibganj district in Jharkhand, police said on Thursday.
According to a report by news agency PTI, an FIR has been registered against three persons based on the complaint of the victim at Barhait police station, around 385-km from capital Ranchi.
“As per the statement of the victim, the incident took place 20 days back and it was being settled by the village panchayat. However, she lodged an FIR against three people on Wednesday,” PTI quoted Barhait police station in-charge Gaurav Kumar as saying.
According to the woman, she was released on condition of paying Rs 21,000 to the accused.
Kumar said that the accused have left the village and a search operation is underway to arrest them.
“We are investigating the matter and interrogating some villagers. A section of the villagers said the accused and the victims are neighbours and they had an internal dispute. They also said that Rs 21,000 was taken from the victim,” police said.
41-Year-Old Kerala Woman Arrested For Performing ‘Black Magic’
A 41-year-old woman was arrested for allegedly performing sorcery and making children take part in associated rituals in Kerala on Thursday, police said.
According to a report by news agency PTI, the woman was arrested after a video, purportedly showing a child falling unconscious during her rituals, went viral on the social media.
In the video clip, the woman could be seen chanting ‘mantras’ and dancing, as part of the rituals and the child was seated right in front of her.
As per police, her husband was also taken into custody and the couple, who hail from Malayalapuzha in Pathanamthitta district, would be taken for medical test.
Meanwhile, health minister Veena George said the government viewed the matter with utmost seriousness.
“Stringent action will be taken against those who use children for such activities. The society should stand united against such practices” she said.