Shivamogga: Woman beaten to death under pretext of 'spirit removal'; Accused arrested
Shivamogga: A 45-year-old woman was beaten to death in the name of exorcism in Hosa Jambraghatta village of Shivamogga district. The accused woman, identified as Asha, has been arrested by Holehonnu police.
The deceased has been identified as Geetamma. According to the complaint, Asha visited Geetamma’s house around 9:30 PM on Sunday and told her son Sanjay that his mother was possessed and needed an exorcism. Trusting Asha’s claims, Sanjay reportedly allowed her to carry out the ritual.
Asha then began beating Geetamma with a stick, claiming the spirit hadn't left her body. She later took Geetamma about 2.5 kilometres away to the Chowdamma temple in Hale Jambraghatta and continued assaulting her until around 2:30 AM.
During the so-called ritual, Asha is said to have performed a puja in front of Geetamma’s house, and then dragged her outside claiming she was possessed. At one point, she hit Geetamma on the head with a large stone and poured cold water on her. Geetamma reportedly collapsed on the spot due to hypothermia and head injuries.
Despite this, Asha declared that the spirit had been removed and sent Geetamma back home. Her condition worsened and she was taken to the Holehonnur community hospital, where doctors declared her dead.
A video of the incident, including the assault and shouting by both women during the so-called exorcism, has gone viral on social media. Following a complaint from Geetamma’s son, police registered a case at the Holehonnur station. Superintendent of Police Mithun Kumar visited the spot, and Asha was taken into custody.
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Worker’s body reaches Ranchi from Saudi 4 months after death; family rejects over compensation
Ranchi (PTI): The body of a migrant worker from Jharkhand’s Giridih district killed in Saudi Arabia in October last year has arrived at Ranchi Airport, but his family refused to accept it over pending compensation, officials said.
Shikha Lakra, team leader of the state migrant control cell, told PTI that, before taking the body of Vijay Kumar Mahato, the family is demanding compensation from the private company where he used to work in the Arab country.
Mahato was killed in an alleged crossfire between the police and criminals.
“Since it was a bullet injury case, the matter is before a court in Jeddah. The final compensation may depend on the court’s decision,” Lakra said.
“The Indian Embassy informed us about the body’s arrival, and coordination was done with district authorities. Our role is limited to coordination in cases involving overseas employers and foreign jurisdiction,” she added.
Giridih Deputy Commissioner Ram Niwas Yadav said the authorities will try to convince the family to perform the last rites.
“We have already sanctioned Rs 5 lakh under the government scheme for migrant’s deaths abroad. The compensation payment might take some time,” he said.
The body is currently at the mortuary of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi.
The Family members said they will only accept it if the company provides written assurance regarding compensation. “Without that assurance, we will not receive the body,” said Ram Prasad Mahato, the deceased’s brother-in-law.
Mahato, a native of Dudhpaniya village in Madh Gopali panchayat under Dumri block, was employed as a tower line fitter. His family said he was struck by a bullet during a gunfight between local police and an extortion gang and later succumbed to his injuries.
Social activist Sikander Ali said Mahato is survived by his wife, two young sons aged five and three, and elderly parents.
