Woman killed for practicing witchcraft in Gujarat; seven held

Vadodara: A 50-year-old woman was killed for allegedly practising witchcraft, following which seven persons have been arrested, police said on Wednesday.

The accused were arrested yesterday after they axed the woman - Kapuriben Rathwa, a widow - at Khandwaniya village on the night of June 5 after they suspected her of practising black magic, R B Devdha, Police Inspector at Chhotaudepur told reporters here.

According to police, fathers of two minor children who died in the village recently were among the arrested, who were told by a local that the woman killed their kids using black magic.

The arrested persons have been identified as Rasul Rathwa, Dhulia Rathwa, Khumtiya Rathwa, Fatehsingh Rathwa, Hitesh, Popat Rathwa and Ashvin Rathwa.

The murdered woman had returned to the village about a year ago after staying with her parents in another village.

Earlier, she was rebuked and thrown out of the village for allegedly practising witchcraft but was later taken in after a reconciliation with the locals.