24-year-old arrested for killing aunt on witchcraft suspicion

Rourkela: A 24-year-old man was arrested by Kutra police in Sundargarh district on Sunday evening for allegedly killing his aunt on suspicion that she practised witchcraft, which he believed caused his father’s prolonged illness.The accused, Anand Ekka, the victim’s nephew (son of her husband’s younger brother) had slit her throat at her home on Friday before fleeing the spot.The victim, Sarojini Ekka (52), a widow from Jhirpani village under Kiringsira panchayat in Kutra police limits, lived with her two children — a college-going daughter based in Sambalpur and a son studying in Class X, who is currently appearing for the High School Certificate examination.

On Friday, Sarojini’s daughter had gone to college, while her son returned home around 2.30 pm after writing his exam. He found his mother lying in a pool of blood with her throat slit and raised an alarm, following which neighbours rushed in. Kutra police soon reached the spot along with a scientific team. Sarojini was declared brought dead at the hospital, and her post-mortem was conducted on Saturday before the body was handed over to the family.

Her brother later lodged an FIR alleging murder. Two special teams led by the inspectors-in-charge of Kutra and Bargaon police stations were formed to identify and nab the killer. During interrogation, Anand confessed to killing Sarojini. Police have seized the weapon used in the crime.