Man Kills Family Members On Suspicion Of Practicing Witchcraft On Ill Wife

A man was arrested after he killed two of his relatives on suspicion of practicing witchcraft. The incident took place in the Indian state of Jharkhand on Tuesday.

Police said the accused, identified as 30-year-old Shishal Lal Todu, took his wife to local doctors after she continued to be ill for several days. When she did not recover, he approached an “exorcist” who told him his elderly aunt and uncle were performing black magic on his wife. In a fit of rage, the man decided to kill his uncle and aunt. Accordingly, he went to their home and killed them with an axe. He was reportedly under the influence of alcohol when he committed the crime.

After killing them, Todu fled the scene and quietly went to work in a field. The victim’s neighbors alerted the police after they did not see the couple the entire day. Upon arrival, the officers saw them lying dead. Police interrogated Todu and took him into custody after he confessed to the murder. Police said the accused told them that "his wife had been running poorly for a long time and was suspected his uncle-aunt of witchcraft.” The bodies were sent for autopsy.

"This case cannot be termed as the first such case as there have been a number of cases that have been shocking before. The investigation into the case is currently underway which will be completed soon,” police said.

The incident comes less than a month after angry villagers lynched four elderly people on suspicion of practicing witchcraft. Police said the angry villagers attacked the victims with weapons after dragging them out of their homes. All the four died on the spot.

“During interrogation, villagers and family members of the slain said that all four elderly persons were involved in occultism. Besides, the evidence we collected from the place of the occurrence also indicates it is a case of witchcraft. Locals used to visit the deceased, who were suspected of performing witchcraft, with the belief that they could cure diseases,” police said.