Superstition has been around in our society for centuries in the shape of an ugly monster which leaves casualties in its wake. Even today, people believe exorcists and babas without a second glance and sometimes end up losing their most precious possessions or worse their life.
This is exactly what happened when a girl of mere 11-years-old was subjected to a brutal torture because she was suffering from constipation. The ailment that could have been cured by simple over-the-counter medication was turned into a criminal act, because of superstition.
The incident occurred in Manwelpada, Virar in Mumbai where the girl was suffering from constipation from December 15. Her mother claimed that she was a ‘messenger of God’ and proceeded to call her sister so that they could ‘heal’ her together.
On the night of December 17, both sisters claimed to be possessed and set up an exorcism ritual where they poured turmeric and vermillion on the girl’s body and the mother sat on her stomach.
The sisters did not hesitate from going to extreme ends and inserted their hands into the girl’s mouth as well as her private parts to get rid of the ‘evil powers’. The girl kept screaming but they did not give her a chance to escape.
According to Midday, her father and 14-year-old brother tried to rescue her but gave up after they were slapped twice by the mother. After some time, the mother noticed that girl had become unconscious. She panicked and informed her family members who rushed her to the hospital. However, it was too late to take an action as the doctors declared her dead before arrival.
After the uncle of the girl learned what had happened to his niece, he immediately informed the police. Upon speaking to the neighbours, the police learnt that numerous people had heard the girl’s screams that night. The autopsy of the girl revealed multiple external injuries on her body as well as her private parts.
The father, mother and the mother’s sister have been arrested on charges of murder, on Tuesday night by the Virar police. They are remanded in police custody until 23 December.
If only the neighbours would have intervened or the father would have tried a bit harder to stop his wife, then an innocent life would have been spared from such a brutal death.