Rajasthan witnessed a shocking incident of witch branding on Saturday, which killed a 70-year-old woman, Champa Devi, in a village in Udaipur district.

She was killed by a family who suspected her of witchcraft resulting in the severe illness of their son. She was dragged and tied to a pole and was beaten mercilessly. Her son later rushed her to the hospital where she was declared brought dead.

After local media highlighted how villagers under the influence of so-called tantriks and Bhopas were labelling women as a witches, seven such tantriks were arrested.

Witch doctors have a large following in tribal areas, despite the government having rural roads and transport network deep into interiors. The state has failed to have any effective policy to stop them despite having a law in place.

Unfortunately, in many such places, as it is happening in case of Champa Devi, her family members try to settle such murders by seeking compensation from accused which is known as the death price.

In a similar incident, last month, a woman was branded a witch and made to eat faecal matter in Ajmer last month. She too died after continous assaults.

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