Tantrik, four others get 10 years term for killing woman

Kaithal, Mar 5 (UNI) A local court today handed 10 years rigorous imprisonment to a tantrik and four others, including the husband and mother-in-law of the victim, for torturing her to death on the pretext of bringing out evil spirits from her body.

Additional Session Judge Dr Neelima Shangla held the tantrik, Rashid Mohammad of Malerkotla, and four others guilty under sections 304, 201, 148, 149 of the IPC and awarded ten years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50,000 each.

Kulwinder Kaur of Kharkan village, after giving birth to two sons fell ill. Her husband Gurmeet Singh and mother-in law Parkash Kaur thought that some evil spirit had entered her body. They took her to the house of one of the accused Dr Partap Singh, a medical practitioner, where the tantrik was also present.

The Tantrik lit fire in the room and after chanting mantras started giving blows of hot 'Chimta' (sharp metal tongs) on the body of Kulwinder to bring out evil spirit. She was also forced to inhale chilly powder smoke.

All this continued for considerable long time while victim's husband and mother-in-law alongwith Dr Partap Singh and one Gurmej Singh held the victim. After some time Kulwinder died on the spot.

She was hurriedly taken to the cremation ground and cremated before her parents could reach the spot.

The accused were also awarded five years sentence, which will run concurrently and fined Rs 10,000 each for destroying the evidence. The court ordered that in case of default in payment of fine the accused would have to undergo further imprisonment for three years. The fine, if recovered from the accused, will be given to minor children of the victim as compensation.

UNI XC PS RL AS2116