11 persons get lifer for killing a woman over suspicion of witchcraft in Odisha
The Hindu
Jasoda Singh was beaten to death by her fellow villagers over suspicion of practicing witchcraft.
A local court in Odisha’s Sundargarh district on Friday sentenced 11 men to life, who had killed a woman over suspicion of practicing witchcraft.
The incident occurred in Ratakhandi village under Biramitrapur police station limit in Sundargarh district on March 3, 2018. One Jasoda Singh was beaten to death by her fellow villagers while victim’s husband Fagu Singh and Kamlesh had escaped with grave injuries.
According to police, villagers used to accuse Jasoda of performing witchcraft. On the fateful day, villagers ganged up and attacked the woman with baton, stone and iron rods. The woman died on the spot.
Adjudicating the matter, V. Sujatha, Additional Session Judge of Rourkela, convicted 14 persons for the murder committed in Ratakhandi village. She pronounced the judgment in open court saying since 11 convicts (all men) killed the woman in brutal manner, they were sentenced to undergo life imprisonment.
These convicts were also penalised under different sections of IPC and Odisha Prevention of Witch Hunting Act 2013. Three women who was convicted under Section 147 of IPC and 4 (2) of Odisha Prevention of Witch Hunting Act 2013 were sentenced to undergo two years of imprisonment. Sundargarh Public prosecutor Abdul Shamim Akhtar and Rourkela Additional Public Prosecutor Swaraup Ranjan Rath argued on behalf of the victims.
The judgment came a day after arrest of 33 persons including 20 women who were accused of killing a woman in similar fashion in Madhurjhola village in Ganjam district. The victim, Jhunu Nahak, was killed after her husband Judhisthir Nahak was branded as a sorcerer.
An uneasy calm prevailed in Madhurjhola village as the Ganjam district police were looking for more people in the case. In a preplanned murder, villagers kept police, who had gone to rescue victims, busy in reconciliation while another group killed the woman. According to district police, more arrests are likely to be made in the case.
A signature campaign successfully protects a historic tamarind tree in Kolkata, highlighting community resilience and urban biodiversity awareness.
Duplicate mehendi making unit raided, 2 held
Markets abuzz with people buying essential goods for Pongal celebrations
Hyderabad Metro Rail has decided to procure 60 metro train coaches and approached the government for necessary clearances without waiting for Phase-II approvals.
BJP accuses government of misusing special session to distract from leadership issues, claiming it serves no public benefit.
INTACH warns that conservation efforts at Kashmir's Aali Masjid threaten its historical and architectural integrity due to inappropriate materials.
Kavyashree Ajeru, yakshagana bhagavata (singer), has been selected for the Sri Kundeshwara Samman of Sri Kundeshwara Kshetra of Hirgana, Karkala.
Mango growers in Chittoor face a crisis due to delayed flowering, shrinking acreage, and adverse weather conditions impacting yields.
Food Safety officials seize eight tonnes of sugar intended for adulteration during inspections of jaggery units in Namakkal.
Forest officials in Vellore arrest three youths and seize two tusks linked to a deceased elephant found in a forest.
‘Vaa Vaathiyaar’ movie review: Karthi’s superheroic tribute to MGR fails to build up on its promising set-up and ends up as a hotchpotch masala entertainer that lacks ambition and flavour
Thackerays have allied to retain Mumbai while Pawars have buried the hatchet for Pune. Both face BJP as their prime opponent
India tells nationals to leave Iran; At least 30 killed as construction crane falls onto moving train in Thailand, and more top news of the day january 14 2026