A family of five committed suicide after being accused of practising sorcery by relatives and other locals in Kandugula village of Huzurabad block in Telangana’s Karimnagar district.
The incident occurred in Huzurabad’s Gangiredula colony on Sunday night, where the nomadic Gangiredula community, which ekes out a living by begging, resides.
According to Huzurabad town Circle Inspector Ramana Murty, the couple Ghanta Komaraiah (36) and Komuramma (34) and their three daughters Yellamma (10), Kommaramma (8) and Anjamma (6) were found hanging in their house on Monday morning. Police believe the couple first hanged the three girls and then hanged themselves.
It is said that Komuramma’s family members, relatives and some villagers recently called Komaraiah to his wife’s native Kondapur in Husnabad block, and charged him with practising witchcraft. Even as Komaraiah pleaded innocence, the relatives warned him of dire consequences if he did not mend his ways.
Komaraiah came home depressed and the family, too, felt humiliated over the allegations.
Fearing they may be ostracised, the couple decided to end their lives.
Published 10 July 2017, 19:35 IST