Black magic suspicion sparks aunt’s murder in Punjab village

A 35-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly shooting dead his aunt in Mehandwani village in Hoshiarpur district , Punjab, earlier this month, police said on Monday.

The victim, Rachna (60) , wife of a retired sub-inspector of the Punjab Police, was shot dead on February 7 while returning home after paying obeisance at Maharaj Bhuriwale Kutia around 5.30 am. The assailant had fled the spot, triggering an intensive search.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (Garhshankar) Daljit Singh Khakh said the accused, identified as Rakesh Kumar, a resident of Mehandwani village, was arrested from Shahpur Ghate on February 22. A case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act had been registered at the Garhshankar police station, and a special investigation team was formed under the supervision of the DSP to probe the case.

During preliminary questioning, the accused allegedly told the police that he suspected the deceased of practising black magic on his family , which he believed led to his father’s death and financial losses in his garment business in Himachal Pradesh. Police said the murder was premeditated.

According to investigators, the accused dropped his wife and children at his in-laws’ village a few days before the incident and borrowed a motorcycle, claiming his car was not functioning. On the day of the crime, he allegedly waited along the route usually taken by the victim, covered his face and fired three shots at her before fleeing. He also switched off his mobile phone to avoid detection.

Police said a .32-bore pistol, three live cartridges, a sharp-edged weapon and the motorcycle allegedly used in the crime have been recovered from the accused. He was produced before a local court and remanded to three days of police custody. Further investigation is underway.

Crimes triggered by suspicion of black magic or occult practices have been reported from several parts of the country in recent years. Incidents in states such as Assam , Jharkhand , Odisha , Kerala and Maharashtra have involved murders and assaults after victims were accused of witchcraft or blamed for deaths, illnesses or financial losses.

Despite increasing literacy and urbanisation, belief in superstition and black magic remains prevalent in parts of rural and semi-urban India, often fuelled by personal grief, financial distress, social stigma and the influence of self-styled godmen. While several states have enacted laws to curb witch-hunting and occult exploitation, enforcement challenges and deep-rooted beliefs continue to concern law enforcement agencies.