BARIPADA: One Parbana Singh (40) of Budhikhamari village under Betnoti police limits was arrested for allegedly killing an old woman suspecting her of practising witchcraft. He was produced in court which remanded him in judicial custody.
Singh strangulated Yashoda Mohanta (65), a widow of the village, while she was taking bath in a canal on Thursday.
Betnoti IIC Sudarshan Das said Singh’s eight-year-old son was suffering from illness and unable to walk despite treatment. He suspected the widow of practising black-magic on him and decided to kill her to rid his son of the disease.
He followed the woman to the canal and on finding her alone, strangled her to death. Singh has confessed to the crime.
A case has been registered following a complain lodged by the widow’s son, Upendra, said the police.