Woman hires goons, kills stepbrother on the advice of a tantric

The Wada police have arrested a 45-year-old woman for allegedly hiring and killing her stepbrother over a superstition to gain prosperity in life after her husband, a Reserve Bank of India (RBI) employee and her son died. She visited a female tantric for treatment of her illness and cops suspect that the tantric's advice to kill the brother took a toll on the woman's mind.

The tribal family hails from Chikhale village in Wada. The deceased, Ladku Wartha (52), a farmer, lived with his wife, Ladki (50) and daughter Bharti (25). On May 31, the three were on their way home when three people allegedly attacked them with a sword, killing Wartha on the spot, leaving the wife and daughter injured, who were rushed to the hospital for treatment.

"The accused, Shyamla, 45, had paid the three Rs10,000 to kill her brother as she believed that she lost her husband and son due to Wartha. She also wanted the piece of land they owned and believed she would prosper in life. She often visited a female tantric for treatment and we suspect that the man was killed over a superstition, or as human sacrifice," said a Wada police official.

"We have arrested the three goons and the woman under IPC sections 302 (murder) and 307 (attempt to murder) and 120 (b) (criminal conspiracy). We are yet to make four more arrests and are investigating further," added the official.