RAIPUR: A 48-year-old tribal woman was allegedly killed in a brutal superstition-linked attack in Chhattisgarh’s Jashpur district after being accused of practising witchcraft, with police arresting her husband, two women and another man–all tribals in the case.The incident took place in Gatti Mahua village in Sanna region. Police identified the victim as Goidi Bai, 48, wife of Thoopan Ram, 45.The case came to light on March 6, when the woman’s brother Sahlu Ram informed police that the woman was found dead in her house. During the spot inspection, police found blood stains on and around the body and noticed serious injuries to the woman’s private parts, indicating murder. It was confirmed in autopsy report that stated, death was homicidal and caused by grievous injuries inflicted with a hard and blunt object, police said.During questioning, one of the accused, Phula Bai, who is described as the victim’s co-wife, allegedly told police that she had a quarrel and scuffle with Goidi Bai on March 5.In her confession, she said that she and her husband Thoopan later went towards the fields, where their friends Sunil Ram, 23, and his wife Suranti Bai, 22, were sitting in a hut. Some time later, Goidi Bai also went in that direction to wash utensils.According to a police statement, Thoopan called the victim into the hut, where the four accused consumed haria, a locally brewed drink. During this time, Sunil Ram allegedly accused the woman of practising witchcraft and blamed her for his family’s troubles, being childless at home and his father’s cancer.Police said Sunil Ram then allegedly grabbed the victim by the hair and threw her to the ground, while Thoopan Ram and Phula Bai held her hands and legs. Investigators further alleged that the accused used a wooden stick in the assault, causing injuries that led to the woman’s death on the spot.After the killing, the accused allegedly carried the body back to the house, placed it on a bed and covered it with a blanket in an apparent attempt to conceal the crime. All four were arrested under sections of BNS and Chhattisgarh witchcraft atrocities (prevention) Act.Police said the case was cracked based on witness statements, interrogation and medical evidence.
