'Forced her to drink urine, eat dog excreta': 77-year-old woman thrashed on suspicion of black magic in Maharashtra

NEW DELHI: A 77-year-old woman from Retyakheda village in Maharashtra’s Amravati district was allegedly attacked, humiliated and forced her to drink urine on December 30 after neighbours accused her of practising black magic, police said on Saturday.The incident came to light when the victim’s son and daughter-in-law, who were away for work, returned on 5 January and filed a police complaint.They approached senior officials demanding justice for the woman.According to the complaint, the elderly woman was at home alone when a group of neighbours attacked her. They allegedly beat her with sticks, slapped her and branded her hands and legs with hot iron rods. The attackers also forced her to drink urine, eat dog excreta and parade with a garland of slippers.According to Amravati superintendent of police Vishal Anand, the police are investigating the case, verifying the incident and probing whether local authorities attempted to suppress the complaint, with strict action promised for any lapses.The village, situated in a remote forested area of Chikhaldara taluka, remains under scrutiny as investigations into the shocking incident continue.(With inputs from agencies)