Woman Killed Over Witchcraft Suspicions in Jharkhand; One Arrested

Chaibasa (IANS) – A 55-year-old woman was murdered in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district over suspicions that she practiced witchcraft, officials said on Wednesday. Police have arrested one suspect and launched a hunt for the others.

The culprits carried out the attack in Bundukocha forest village under Sonua police station limits. Police identified the deceased as Chandu Purti, a resident of Baibera village.

According to police, the killers murdered her by slitting her throat with a sharp-edged weapon. The accused later disposed of the body in a forest gorge to destroy evidence.

The incident came to light on Tuesday after villagers noticed a foul smell emanating from the forest area and alerted the police. Acting on the information, a police team reached the spot and recovered the body from a gorge located around 200 meters from the victim’s house.

During the investigation, police arrested 26-year-old Premjit Banra, a resident of Pansuan village, on Wednesday.

During interrogation, Banra disclosed the names of three other persons who participated in the crime. Police teams are now conducting raids to apprehend the absconding suspects.

According to police, Banra suspected the woman of practicing witchcraft because his wife had suffered from a prolonged illness without recovering. Acting on this suspicion, he and his accomplices allegedly killed the woman.

Locals stated that the killers committed the crime on Sunday evening, after which they dumped the body in the forest.

The Station House Officer of Sonua police station confirmed that authorities have sent the body to Chaibasa Sadar Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Police are continuing their investigation to ascertain the full conspiracy and the roles of the other accused. Investigators are also questioning the deceased’s family members and villagers in connection with the case.