A 70-year-old woman was hacked to death allegedly by her 24-year-old grandson in Chhattisgarh's Balodabazar-Bhatapara district on suspicion that she was practicing 'witchcraft'.
"Manoj Sarathi was arrested on charge of killing his grandmother Pilabai at Kodopali village under Bhilaigarh police station limits yesterday," Balodabazar-Bhatapara Additional Superintendent of Police, Vimal Bais, said.
He said Mr Sarathi suspected that his brother Kamta Prasad and sister-in-law have been ill for last few months due to some witchcraft by Pilabai.
The incident occurred last afternoon when Mr Sarathi attacked the elderly woman with an axe, leaving her dead on the spot, before fleeing. He was arrested in night from his sister's place in Salkhan village.
As per preliminary investigation, Mr Sarathi had recently contacted a local 'tantrik' to know about the illness of Kamta Prasad and his wife.
"The 'tantrik' had reportedly told Sarathi that some black magic practiced by his grandmother had led to the problem," the ASP said.
A case has been registered in this connection, the officer said, adding that further probe is on.
