Woman forced to drink alcohol, smoke beedis during black magic ritual; 3 including partner arrested in Kottayam

Kottayam: A young woman was allegedly subjected to hours of black magic rituals involving physical and mental torture at her residence in Thiruvanchoor by her partner, his father and a sorcerer.

Police have arrested Shivadas (54), the sorcerer, also known as Shivan Thirumeni, of Maadachira House, Perumthuruthi, Pathanamthitta, Akhil Das (26), the woman’s partner and Das (55), Akhil’s father.

The case was registered by Manarcadu police after the woman’s father lodged a complaint, reporting a severe change in her behaviour following the alleged ritual. Akhil’s mother, named as a co-accused, is currently absconding.

According to police, Akhil’s mother brought sorcerer Shivadas to the house, where he allegedly conducted rituals from 11 am to 9 pm. During this period, the woman was forcibly given alcohol, made to smoke beedis, fed sacred ash, and subjected to burn injuries and other assaults. The prolonged ordeal reportedly caused a sharp decline in her mental condition.

Police have also recovered deleted mobile footage recorded by Akhil’s sister, which reportedly corroborated the torture.

“Akhil and the young woman are not legally married. She left her family and went with him. There had been a previous dispute between the couple, and both families were summoned to the police station. The woman chose to leave with Akhil, and her parents raised no objection,” Kottayam District Police Chief Shahul Hameed told Onmanorama.

A team led by Manarcadu SHO Anil George, SIs Ash T Chacko and Radhakrishnan, and Senior Civil Police Officers Anoop, Vijesh and Subin P Saji made the arrests. Shivadas was traced to Muthur, Thiruvalla, after he switched off his phone and fled. The accused were produced before the Kottayam Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-III and remanded.