A 65-year-old woman from Dhangadhimai-6 has been beaten severely on charge of practicing witchcraft.

Shiva Nath Yadav and two of his supporters thrashed Kusama Devi Yadav on Thursday. According to the victim, Shivanath barged into her house and beat her

accusing that she had made his daughter ill with magic spell. Kusama’s husband Asheshwor Yadav, who tried to protect her  from the enraged neighbours, also sustained injuries.

After the incident the villagers rescued the couple and took them to Lila Madan Polyclinic and Maternity Home in Lahan where they are receiving treatment. Kusama Devi has sustained injuries on her head, left arms and leg, while her husband has injuries in nose and arms. Police arrested Shiva Nath in connection with the incident.

During an interrogation, the accused admitted his involvement in the scuffle but refused that he had blamed Kusama as a witch.

While no formal complaint has been filed, Deputy Superintendent of Police Hira Bahadur Pandey has assured a thorough investigation into the incident and appropriate action against the guilty if the victim lodged a complaint.