Woman branded as 'witch', killed

A woman was brutally murdered on suspicion of practising black magic at Bidyutnagar, three km from here, in Seraikela-Kharswan district of Jharkhand today.

Police said the accused Raju Badke, neighbour of the victim Sarswati Gagrai, was later arrested from the area.

Badke had allegedly piecered a rod in the stomach of the hapless woman near her house this morning as Gagrai was declared dead at hospital.

Prima facie Raju killed her on suspicion of practicing witchcraft.