Gondia: worker hacked to death on suspicion of witchcraft, two arrested
Police say a Gondia man was killed with a hammer and axe after his attackers blamed him for deaths and illness in their families through witchcraft
A blood-soaked body was found by the roadside in the Mundipar MIDC area of Gondia on the night of September 22. The deceased was identified as 58-year-old Ravishankar Udelal Rahangdale. The Local Crime Branch cracked the case within 24 hours. Police said this was neither a robbery nor the result of a personal quarrel, but a chilling plot driven by superstition and a desire for revenge.
Police have arrested the alleged main conspirators, Kamlesh Ashok Neware, 19, and Jitendra Kohale, 45. Two minors in conflict with the law who were involved in the incident have also been taken into custody.
Police said that between around 7:15 pm and 8:15 pm on September 22, Ravishankar Rahangdale was riding his motorcycle to report for the night shift at Venkatesh Rice Mill. The accused, who had been lying in wait, began following him on a Splendor motorcycle from near a marble company. In front of a leather factory, the accused overtook Rahangdale and blocked his path. Before he could react, the accused struck him from behind with a hammer, knocking him off the bike, and then repeatedly struck him on the head with an axe, killing him, police said.
On a complaint from the deceased's son, Vicky Rahangdale, a case was registered at Gangazari police station under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The investigation, launched under the direction of Superintendent of Police Gorakh Bhamre and led by LCB Inspector Revchand Singanjude, found that the village had suspected the deceased of practising witchcraft.
During questioning, detained accused Kamlesh Neware admitted he believed two deaths in his family had been caused by Ravishankar's witchcraft. Police said the accused also suspected that deaths in the households of Manish Tembhre and Jitendra Kohale, as well as the continuing deterioration in the health of Rishabh Kohale, were the result of black magic practised by Ravishankar. Police said it was this suspicion and desire for revenge that led Kamlesh, Jitendra and the two minors to plot the murder together.
Under the guidance of Superintendent of Police Gorakh Bhamre, Additional Superintendent of Police Abhay Dongre and Tirora SDPO Gajanan Gulhane, a team led by LCB Police Inspector Premchand Singanjude and the Gangazari police used technical evidence and informers to catch the accused. The two adult accused have been handed over to Gangazari police station for further legal proceedings.
Police said a large team involving officers and personnel from the Gangazari police station and the cyber cell played a key role in solving the case within 24 hours.
