It has been reported that an elderly woman was allegedly beaten up, branded with a hot iron rod and made to consume urine over claims of practicing black magic in Amravati district of Maharashtra. The incident had occurred on 30 December at Retyakheda village under Chikhaldara taluka and was discovered after her son and daughter-in-law filed a police complaint a few days back, PTI reports.
The complainants revealed in their letter to the district collector and superintendent of police that the woman was home alone when neighbors accused her of witchcraft and subjected her to horrific abuse. “The angry villagers allegedly hit her with a wooden stick, slapped and thrashed her. They then also branded her with hot iron rods on her hands and legs,” they stated. The woman was allegedly made to drink urine and canine excreta before she was taken out in a procession by garlanding slippers around her neck.
She was informed by her family about the incident on January 5, who also immediately lodged the complaint with the police. Superintendent of Police of Amravati Vishal Anand described it as “a serious case.” He confirmed that the complainants had spoken directly to him.
“The village is in the interiors of a forest, and a police official has been sent to verify the event,” he told PTI. He further said that authorities would probe whether the police station handling the complaint attempted to suppress details of the case, assuring that appropriate action would be taken.
