RAIPUR: In yet another case of crime committed over suspicion of witchcraft, a 55-year-old tribal man was murdered after being accused of practising black magic in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district, with police arresting two accused in the case. The victim, identified as Mehru Yadav (55), a resident of Hiranar village in Geedam, was known locally for performing traditional healing rituals and exorcism practices, commonly termed “baiga”.Police said the accused — Amit Lekami (26) and Dashmu (45), who are cousins from the same village — suspected Yadav of practising witchcraft after three members of their family died within the past year.According to investigators, the two allegedly barged into Yadav’s house late at night and slit his throat with a sharp knife, killing him on the spot.After receiving information about the incident, a police team from Gidam police station reached the spot, sent the body for post-mortem and launched an investigation.Both accused were subsequently arrested and are being interrogated, police said, adding that they would be produced before a court after formal arrest, station house officer Vijay Patel said.On Monday, Jashpur district police arrested two couples for the brutal murder of a woman branded as “witch” and accused of practicing black magic and superstition and being the reason of illness. The accused included her husband and co-wife.
