Couple lynched for practicing witchcraft in Bihar

A couple was beaten to death by their neighbours for allegedly practicing witchcraft in a Bihar village. Three people have been arrested for the killings, police said Thursday.

The couple's daughter was also injured in the attack.

Rameshwar Yadav and his wife Kaushalya Devi were attacked by their neighbours and beaten to death Wednesday night in Koyriyadih village in Gaya district, around 100 km from here, Deputy Superintendent of Police Mohd. Ali Ansari said.

Ansari said three people, including the main accused Mohan Yadav, were arrested in connection with the case.

Villagers told police that Mohan Yadav became suspicious that Rameshwar's wife Kaushalya was practicing witchcraft and he blamed her for his son's suffering for months.

The couple's daughter, Shayamsundari Devi, who too was assaulted Wednesday night, was shifted to the Patna Medical College and Hospital from a district hospital after her condition deteriorated.

The practice of branding women as witches and torturing them continues unabated in the remote and rural areas of Bihar.

Two years ago, the Bihar Human Rights Commission directed the state to expedite probe and trials in cases related to offences under the Prevention of Witch Hunting Act, 1999.