3 women beaten to death over 'witchcraft' in Ranchi, 8 arrested

Three women were beaten to death in Jharkhand's Ranchi district over allegations that y practiced witchcraft, police said on Tuesday.

Thirteen people, including husband and son of one of women, were booked in connection with killing in Ranadih vill in Sonahaput police station area, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kaushal Kishore said.

Eight people have so far been arrested and a search is on for rest, he said.

three women were thrashed with sticks by a group of villrs, who alleged that y practiced witchcraft because of which some people were beaten by snakes in vill, police said.

When y died, bodies were "dumped" in a hilly area near vill, it is alleged.

bodies of two victims were found on Sunday, while ar body was recovered on Monday.

Police said y have detained husband of one of victims for questioning after he was named in complaint filed by woman's nephew.

Murder on suspicion of witchcraft is a predominant social evil in state.

As per National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), a total of 590 people, mostly women, were killed over this between 2001 and 2020.