Fatal faith: Son kills mother over witchcraft suspicions in Bilaspur

Raipur: In a chilling case of superstition-driven violence, a 38-year-old man in Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur district allegedly hacked his mother to death with an axe after a local occult practitioner brainwashed him that she was responsible for his children's recurring illnesses. The accused later walked into a police station carrying the bloodstained weapon and surrendered.The incident took place in Sarwani village under Chakrabhatta police station. The accused, identified as Vishnu Kevat, lived with his wife and four children, while his mother, Mantora Bai Kevat (55), resided with her younger son.According to police, Vishnu's children were keeping frequently unwell, prompting him to seek treatment not only from doctors but also from local healers (baigas). During these visits, a tantric allegedly told him that black magic was behind his children's condition and hinted that a family member was responsible. Under pressure, the practitioner suggested that Vishnu's own mother was performing witchcraft.Convinced, Vishnu confronted his mother multiple times, warning her to stop what he believed was sorcery. On Friday evening, he allegedly attacked her with an axe near their house, killing her on the spot. He then went straight to Chakrabhatta police station, where he told officers: "My children's health was deteriorating because of my mother. I hit her with this axe on the head. She died instantly."Police rushed to the village and recovered Mantora Bai's body lying in a pool of blood on the roadside. Vishnu was arrested on the spot.Station in-charge Uttam Sahu confirmed the arrest and said: "The accused was under the grip of blind faith and acted on the words of a tantric. We have registered a case of murder and further investigation is underway."The killing has shocked Sarwani village, with residents expressing anger over the role of superstition and unverified occult practices.