Woman Tortured To Death During Exorcism Ritual To Free Her From ‘Angry Deity’

KEY POINTS

A woman, 25, died after she was beaten to death by a group that included some of her relatives
She was accused of being influenced by an "angry deity" and was attacked during an exorcism ritual
Police arrested the exorcist and several of the victim's relatives following the incident

A 25-year-old woman in the Indian state of Gujarat who was believed to be influenced by an "angry deity" died after she was beaten during an exorcism ritual earlier this week, officials said Thursday.

The woman, identified as Ramila Solanki, was branded with firewood and beaten with a hot iron chain by a group that included some of her relatives in the village of Okhamadhi last Wednesday, newspaper The Times of India reported, citing inspector P B Gadhvi.

Solanki, of Arambhada in Mithapur, came to the village with her husband Vala to celebrate the Hindu festival of Navratri, which started on Oct. 7 and ends on Friday, according to a first information report.

"When the victim suddenly started shaking and behaving as if she had been possessed, exorcist Ramesh Solanki told others to beat [Ramila] in order to free her from the influence of an angry deity," Gadvhi was quoted as saying.

"[Ramesh] warned that Ramila would kill everyone if they did not beat her," the official added.

Ramila was then beaten by a group of people, which included Ramesh as well as several of the former's relatives, Gadvhi said. The group started by branding Ramila with firewood before they took turns thrashing her with a hot iron chain, according to the inspector.

Details regarding Ramila's death, such as when she died and the official cause of her death, were not provided by police.

Police later arrested the group on murder charges following a complaint lodged by Vala. Aside from Ramesh, the accused were Ramila's relatives Arjun Solanki, Versi Solanki, Manu Solanki and Bhavesh Solanki.

The relationship between Ramila and Ramesh was unclear.

A similar incident happened last February in Sri Lanka when a 9-year-old girl was killed during a ritual that was intended to cast out a demon that had allegedly possessed her.

The unnamed victim had been poured with oil on her forehead and repeatedly struck with a cane during a ritual that took place in the village of Meegahawatte on Feb. 28. Neighbors who heard the girl’s screams took her to the hospital after finding her unconscious, but she was pronounced dead.

The girl's mother and the woman who performed the ritual were taken into custody and appeared in court on March 1. Authorities were investigating whether or not the woman, who was known in the area for providing exorcism services, had abused other people in any of her rituals.