Villagers allegedly force elderly man to drink urine in Jharkhand after branding him 'witch'

Latehar: A group of villagers allegedly forced an elderly man to drink urine after he was branded a 'witch' in Jharkhand's Latehar district, officials said on Wednesday.

The incident took place on Tuesday at Dauna village within Netarhat police station limits, the victim's son, Brajesh Munda, alleged.

Villagers also tried to force the act on the victim's wife, who resisted, while a health worker, Heena Devi, was beaten and driven away for opposing the villagers' actions, he added.

Munda claimed the attack followed the recent death of a woman in a road accident, with villagers alleging that it was because of his father's alleged black magic.

A group of 15 villagers then convened a meeting and branded his father a witch before carrying out the alleged assault.

Heena Devi's husband, Virendra Singh, claimed she was beaten during the episode.

In Jharkhand villages, both men and women are branded as witches, locals claimed.

On Wednesday, the victim approached Netarhat police but was reportedly sent back, Munda said.

SP Kumar Gaurav said the matter had come to his notice.

A police team has questioned villagers, but the incident has yet to be confirmed.

No formal case has been registered yet, but legal action will be initiated if a complaint is received, he added.