BHOPAL: A man and a woman were allegedly beheaded by a 21-year-old youth on suspicion of witchcraft after he invited them to his house for a puja in Atarwa village of Singrauli district early Thursday morning.
Two others who tried to intervene were seriously injured in the attack.Police said the incident took place between 4 am and 5 am. The accused, identified as Chhatrapati Singh, had called a few neighbours to attend a religious ritual at his residence. Among those who arrived were Kemla Singh (65) and Phool Kumari Singh (50), both residents of the same village.During the puja, the accused allegedly attacked the two with a sharp-edged weapon and beheaded them on the spot.
Investigators suspect that he believed the victims were responsible for his personal misfortune through witchcraft.According to police, the accused had been under mental stress after his wife suffered a miscarriage a few months ago. He reportedly believed that deities were angry and that certain individuals in the village had practised witchcraft against him. He organised the puja as part of a ritual and then carried out the attack.
Hearing the commotion, neighbours Sumitra Singh and Rambhajan Singh attempted to stop him. The accused allegedly attacked them as well, leaving both seriously injured. They were admitted to hospital and are undergoing treatment.Police said the suspect has been taken into custody. Prima facie, the incident appears to be linked to superstition and suspicion of witchcraft. However, we are investigating all aspects, they said. Puja materials, including coconuts and incense sticks, were found near the bodies. A forensic team has collected evidence from the scene, and the bodies have been sent for postmortem examination.Police have deployed additional personnel in the village to prevent any tension. Further investigation is underway.
