Odisha woman, 54, beaten, house looted by villagers over witchcraft suspicion

A woman was allegedly brutally assaulted by several people in Banitia village in Odisha's Bhadrak district, after locals suspected her of practising witchcraft and possessing hidden treasure.

The incident took place on September 25 in Banitia village in the Bhadrak Rural police station area, but the woman lodged a complaint six days later on Wednesday.

According to the complaint, the victim has been identified as a local resident, Priyatama Mahanty, 54, who had been living outside the village following a land dispute. Her two sons were reportedly studying outside, while her husband was staying outside Odisha.advertisement❮❯ Read Full StoryWOMAN ASSAULTED OVER WITCHCRAFT, TREASURE SUSPICIONSLocals allegedly suspected that Priyatama had obtained hidden treasure after performing a ritual involving human sacrifice inside her house. They also allegedly accused her of practising witchcraft, citing an improvement in her financial condition.

The situation reportedly escalated after a minor girl related to Priyatama allegedly behaved as though she was possessed by a deity.

Following this, villagers allegedly dragged Priyatama out of her house and assaulted her with sticks, wooden poles and an iron crowbar. HOUSE VANDALISED, CASH AND JEWELLERY LOOTED

The complaint also alleges that Priyatama's house was vandalised during the incident and that cash and jewellery were looted.

A video of the incident shows a large crowd gathered at the spot, where the woman can allegedly be seen being assaulted by several people.

The assault allegedly did not end at the spot.

When Priyatama's brother was taking her to hospital in an auto-rickshaw in a seriously injured condition, she was reportedly pulled out of the vehicle and assaulted again.

Bhadrak Rural police station IIC Subrata Das said the FIR was primarily registered in connection with a land dispute, though the complainant had also alleged that she was being subjected to torture on suspicion of practising witchcraft.

A case has been registered against six persons, including two women, he said.

"The investigation is underway, and no one has been arrested so far," he added.- EndsWith PTI inputs