- By Priyanka Koul
- Mon, 07 Jul 2025 05:36 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Uttar Pradesh: In a horrifying case from Azamgarh's Pahelwanpur village in Uttar Pradesh, a woman’s desperate attempt to become a mother ended in tragedy. Anuradha, 35, was allegedly strangled to death by a self-proclaimed tantrik during a violent exorcism ritual. The accused forced her to drink toilet water as part of the so-called treatment. Police have since arrested the tantrik, identified as Chandu, and his accomplices, while tensions remain high in the village.
Anuradha, who had been childless since her marriage in 2014, had returned to her maternal home a month ago. Hoping for a solution, her mother and mother-in-law took her to Chandu, a local exorcist from Harijan Basti, after someone suggested he could “cure” her infertility.
According to a report by News18, the family agreed to pay Rs 1 lakh for the treatment, of which Rs 22,000 was paid in advance.
The situation took a grim turn on July 6, when Anuradha’s mother accompanied her to Chandu’s house. In her police complaint, she alleged that Chandu, his wife Shabnam, and two other associates violently assaulted Anuradha. She was dragged by the hair, strangled, and forced to drink toilet water. When she resisted, Chandu allegedly said,
“Bade saaye hain, aise nahi jaayenge (It’s a strong spirit, it won’t leave so easily).”
As Anuradha’s condition worsened, the accused reportedly panicked and took her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead on arrival. Chandu fled soon after, sparking outrage among villagers.
News of the incident spread quickly, and a furious crowd gathered near the tantrik’s home, demanding swift justice. Police were deployed to the area to prevent escalation. Anuradha’s body was sent for post-mortem.
On Monday morning, authorities confirmed that Chandu had been arrested. His wife and two unnamed accomplices have also been booked under charges including culpable homicide and assault.