RAUTAHAT, May 24: A woman was brutally beaten by her brother-in-law and his family members in Rautahat on Monday alleging her of practicing witchcraft.
After the thrashing, Gita Ram of Dalit community of Gaur Municipality-3 has been admitted to the District Hospital, Gaur for treatment. The thirty-year-old wife of Ram Sundar Ram was beaten by her relatives accusing her of being a witch.
Reportedly, Bijay Ram, the son of Gita's sister-in-law Sumitra Devi was ill since last year. As he did not recover from his illness despite various treatments, he was taken to a witch doctor. The witch doctor told Sumitra that her son has not been able to recover as he is possessed by Gita, who, according to the shaman, is a witch. Following accusation, Gita was mercilessly beaten by Sumitra, her husband Chunni Ram, sons Sanjay and Ranjay along with some other people.
72 years old woman beaten on charge of practicing witchcraft
Gita was immediately taken to the hospital after the incident. Not just her, but her husband too was beaten by his own brother. Gita has demanded stern action against the culprits for putting such a baseless allegation against her. As stated by the victim, she had offered Rs 21,000 for the treatment of her brother-in-law's son. She had time and again asked them to return the money after which they kept finding excuses to 'kill her' by making various allegations.
Gita's another sister-in-law Mina Devi Ram informed that she tried to stop her sister-in-law from being beaten but she too was attacked. According to her, instead of protecting the victim, all the neighbors remained tight-lipped and just watched the victim being beaten.
As informed by Rabindra Jha, chief of Emergency Department of the District Hospital, not just her external organs but also her private parts have been equally injured in the attack.
Following the incident, those who attacked her are currently at large. Chief of the District Police Office SP Rabindra KC, informed that police have started investigation and also expedited the search for the perpetrators.
"We are currently searching for the perpetrators. If their involvement in the crime is proved, they will be punished as per the law," said SP KC.
