ROURKELA: An elderly man was hacked to death while his wife suffered grievous injuries after being attacked by a group of villagers on suspicion of practising witchcraft in Sanpatrapali under Sundargarh Sadar police limits, about 120 km from Rourkela, on Monday evening.
The deceased was identified as 65-year-old Mahadev Bag of Kendakhol hamlet in Sanpatrapali village. His wife Amilya Bag (60) was critically injured in the attack and has been hospitalised.
On Tuesday, police arrested four persons - Kumad Bag (32), Laba Kujur (22), Siba Pradhan (40) and Pramod Bag (25) - for their alleged involvement in the attack.
According to police, the accused suspected Mahadev and his wife of practising witchcraft, causing health issues and other misfortunes to some villagers. Kumad lost his wife to some disease a few months ago and her death confirmed his suspicion. He roped in the other three accused and hatched a plan to eliminate the couple.
Sundargarh sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Nirmal Mohapatra said armed with sharp weapons, the four barged into Mahadev’s house on Sunday evening and brutally assaulted the elderly couple. While Mahadev was killed on the spot, his wife survived with grievous injuries.
On being informed, police along with a scientific team reached the crime scene for investigation. While the deceased’s body was seized for postmortem, Amilya was admitted to the hospital.
The SDPO said Mahadev’s daughter Jayanti Bag lodged a complaint with police basing on which a case was registered under sections 332(b), 296, 103(1), 109 and 3(5) of BNS and section 4(1) of Odisha Prevention of Witch Hunting Act-2013. The accused were arrested and produced in court.
Mohapatra appealed to the public not to believe in superstition and refrain from taking laws into their own hands. He advised villagers to seek proper medical help for health issues.