A forty five-year-old lady in Karnataka’s Shivamogga district died early on Monday morning after she was allegedly assaulted for hours as a part of an exorcism ritual, the police mentioned on Tuesday. Three folks, together with her son, have been arrested on homicide expenses, the police added.
The police recognized the sufferer as Geethamma, a resident of Hosa Jambraghatta village, and the arrested accused as her son, Sanjay, her distant relative, Asha, and Asha’s husband, Santosh.
In the meantime, a purported video of the incident, the place Geethamma is seen pleading for water, went viral on social media, sparking outrage throughout the area.
In response to the police, round 9.30 pm on Sunday, Asha visited Geethamma’s home and satisfied Sanjay that his mom was possessed by evil spirits and required an exorcism. Sanjay allowed her to proceed with the ritual, the police mentioned.
Asha allegedly carried out a puja in entrance of Geethamma’s home, dragged her exterior, and mentioned she was possessed. She allegedly started beating Geethamma with a stick, claiming the spirit had not left her physique. She then dragged Geethamma for about 2.5 km to the Chowdamma temple in Hale Jambraghatta, the place the assault continued till 2.30 am, the police mentioned.
The violence escalated when Asha struck Geethamma on the top with a big stone and poured chilly water over her physique, the police mentioned. Geethamma ultimately collapsed as a consequence of hypothermia and extreme head accidents, the police added.
In response to the police, Asha then declared that the spirit had been efficiently eliminated and despatched Geethamma again residence, the place her situation quickly deteriorated. Geethamma was rushed to the Holehonnur neighborhood hospital, however docs there pronounced her lifeless upon arrival.
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Following a criticism filed by one other certainly one of Geethamma’s sons, the police registered a homicide case on the Holehonnur police station. Sanjay, Asha, and Santosh have been arrested on Monday.
Superintendent of Police Mithun Kumar visited the crime scene to supervise the investigation.
Nagappa, a relative of Geethamma and Asha, instructed the media that he had suggested Sanjay to take Geethamma to the physician. “Geethamma was affected by some psychological sickness and was shouting throughout the night time for the final 15 days. Sanjay thought she was possessed by an evil spirit. 4 days earlier than the incident, I had steered he take her to a physician in Shivamogga, however he determined that Asha would convey her reduction,” he claimed.