Daijiworld Media Network - Ramanagara (SP)
Ramanagara, Mar 6: The police of the district who investigated the death of Ayesha (10) from New Mosque Mohalla at Magadi in the district late night on March 1 have cracked the case within 48 hours of registration of the case. The mortal remains of the girl, who had gone missing since 9 pm on March 1, were found by the side of Hosahalli Road at Magadi town in the district on the evening of March 3.
The police have arrested four persons including a minor girl. The hands of the deceased girl were found tied in the back, plastic was found to have been stuffed into her mouth, and her corpse, placed inside a gunny bag, was recovered from a spot where it was tossed away by her killers. The police personnel have confirmed that the girl was sacrificed as part of witchcraft procedures.
Muhammed Wasil, owner of a bidi factory at Magadi, happens to be the prime accused in the case. Wasil's younger brother, Rafi, had been suffering from paralysis since sometime. Various systems of treatment in the state and outside had failed to heal his condition. Wasil thereafter sought help from his sister, Rasheeda, living at Goripalya Bengaluru. The brother-sister duo held consultation with each other, decided get Rafi discharged from hospital and treat him through sorcery.
Ayesha
Wasil, Naseema and Rasheeda
The sorcerer, Naseema from Bengaluru, said that Rafi had become sick due to the fact that someone had taken help of witchcraft to harm him. She said that he can be cured if the family agrees to conduct sorcery procedures for 40 days. She said that sacrifice of a girl would be necessary at the end for this healing process to be effective, and that Rafi will return to health as soon as the body of the girl is rotated in front of Rafi before being thrown away.
Wasil and Rasheeda believed her, chose Ayesha living nearby for the sacrifice, and sent her photo to Naseema through WhatsApp. After getting Naseema's nod, Rafi was brought to a spot where various grotesque procedures were performed in the presence of the girl's body. At the end of the procedures, the body was moved round Rafi before discarding it, police sources said.
In the meantime, the locals have urged for extermination of the entire family involved with witchcraft. Thousands of angry protesters who came together opposite the residence of the accused, broke the door open and pelted stones. Police resorted to light caning to disperse the angry mob, and the situation at Magadi continues to be tense.
Inspector general of police, Seemant Kumar Singh, said that the police believe that more people are involved with this crime along with the arrested persons, Wasil, Naseema, Rasheeds, and a minor girl. He said that more details of the case are being collected, and investigation is progressing satisfactorily.