A 60-year-old woman was allegedly burnt to death by another woman, who suspected her of practicing witchcraft. The incident was reported at Torpa police station in Jharkhand’s Khunti district in the early hours of Friday. The woman has been arrested. According to the police, the incident came to light this morning when people reported the death of a woman, identified as Susari Buru, a resident of Tupkara village under Torpa police station area. A newly-born child was also found dead in the house of a woman, identified as Anita Soy, who was her neighbour.

Watch what else is making news

Following preliminary investigations, the police detained Soy and questioned her over the incident. She allegedly confessed to having killed the old woman as she suspected her of practicing witchcraft. Preliminary investigations have revealed that the newly-born of the accused woman had died late on Thursday night. The accused then approached the elderly woman in her house and set her afire after pouring kerosene on her. She suspected that the old woman was involved in witchcraft. “We have got the postmortem conducted of both the deceased, the newly born, as well as the old woman,” said Khunti Superintendent of Police Ashwini Kumar Sinha.

A police officer associated with the case said that the woman, in her mid-20s, whose husband was into farming, had actually given birth to twins, both sons, more than a week ago. One of them died on December 3, while the other succumbed late Thursday night. “The accused had hoped that the old woman would cure her sons. But when they did not survive, she took the step in the early hours,” said the officer, adding that the woman was arrested and sent to jail.

📣 The Indian Express is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@indianexpress) and stay updated with the latest headlines

For all the latest India News, download Indian Express App.

© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd