Woman Shot Dead in Gujarat Over Alleged Witchcraft

Ahmedabad : In a tragic incident during the Navratri festival, a time when Gujarat celebrates the feminine divine, a woman was shot dead in Arvalli’s Rampuri village after being branded a ‘witch’. The horrific crime has shocked the local community and sparked widespread condemnation.

The incident took place when a 45-year-old mother of two was shot dead by her relative, Rajesh alias Rajendra Tabiyar, who suspected her of practicing witchcraft on Tuesday night. The victim was asleep with her children when Tabiyar entered her home and opened fire, fatally wounding her. The gunshot noise alerted neighbors, who rushed the woman to Cottage Hospital in Bhiloda. Unfortunately, she was declared dead on arrival by the on-duty doctors.

Following the murder, police teams from the local station, along with the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP), Special Operations Group (SOG), and Local Crime Branch (LCB), arrived at the crime scene. Investigations are ongoing, and efforts have been intensified to apprehend Tabiyar, who fled after committing the crime.

The Bhiloda police have registered a murder case against Tabiyar under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including the Arms Act and the Gujarat Prevention of Anti-Social Activities (PASA) Act. Authorities are working on gathering additional evidence and tracking the absconding suspect.

According to reports, Tabiyar had been harassing the victim for some time, accusing her of being a witch. He often verbally abused her, threatening to kill her. The victim’s family had previously lodged a complaint against him at Bhiloda police station, citing his repeated threats. Despite this, the harassment escalated, culminating in the deadly attack.

This incident highlights the deep-rooted superstitions that continue to prevail in certain parts of India, where women are often branded as witches. In many cases, these women are subjected to brutal violence, including torture, public humiliation, and, in the worst cases, murder. Despite efforts by law enforcement agencies and non-governmental organizations to combat such practices, cases of witch-hunting persist, particularly in rural areas.

Witchcraft accusations are often used as a tool for settling personal vendettas or disputes, with women becoming the prime targets of such violence. Human rights activists have long called for stronger laws and enforcement to protect vulnerable women from such baseless accusations and the resulting violence.