Man lynched near Hyderabad for suspected witchcraft 

A 24-year-old man was lynched near Hyderabad on the suspicion of practising witchcraft, which allegedly led to the death of a woman.

The incident occurred in Adraspalli village on the outskirts of Hyderabad on Wednesday but came to light on Thursday. The police identified the youth as Bovini Anjaneyulu.

The 45-year-old woman identified as Gara Lakshmi died on Wednesday after a prolonged illness. But her family suspected that Anjaneyulu, a resident of the same village, performed witchcraft on her.

While performing the last rites of the woman on Wednesday evening, her relatives waited to see if the victim turned up. When he was passing by, they caught hold of him, thrashed him and axed him to death. The body was burnt in the same pyre to wipe out evidence.

According to The News Minute, on Thursday morning, dog squad, Clues team and a police team led by DCP Padmaja Reddy visited the graveyard.

Police found a bloodstained spot in the graveyard and recovered a handkerchief from the scene. They also collected bones from the pyre and sent them for forensic analysis.

Anjaneyulu and Lakshmi were neighbours, and for the past five years Lakshmi was suffering ill health and availing treatment at Osmania General Hospital. However, she died on Tuesday, following which her funeral was conducted on Wednesday.

According to locals, Anjaneyulu and his father were suspected by the neighbours to practise witchcraft and Lakshmi’s family members were of the opinion that the duo was to be held responsible for Lakshmi’s poor health, reported The News Minute.

However, the police was informed about the incident and senior officials rushed to the village and launched an investigation.

The investigators collected bones and other remnants from the scene and sent it for forensic tests. Witchcraft is allegedly practiced in Telangana villages and in the past many people suspected to be practicing black magic were killed by the relatives of the victims.