Elderly couple shot dead

An elderly couple was shot

dead allegedly by distant relatives in a village under Bousi police station in Banka district, a police officer said today.

Lalit Yadav (65) and Gedo Devi (60) was shot dead at Dwarbe village last night by unidentified relatives who suspected Devi of practising witchcraft, Banka SDPO Shashi Shankar said.

The assailants nursed an ill-will towards the couple ever since a child in their extended family died sometime back, he said.

The bodies have been sent for post-mortem, Shankar said, adding a probe was on in the matter.

The suspects have fled the village, the SDPO added.