In a shocking case of superstition-driven violence in Jharkhand’s capital Ranchi, a woman named Etwari was brutally shot dead by hired killers and her body thrown into a chulha fire to stage an accident. Her brother-in-law, Sonaram Lohra, orchestrated the murder, convinced she had used black magic to kill his two children. Police arrested six suspects, including the mastermind, after a postmortem revealed the gunshot wound.
The incident unfolded in Taladith village under Tamar police station. On February 1, locals reported that Etwari had died in a chulha fire. Officers took her body to RIMS hospital for autopsy. The report exposed the truth: she was shot in the head before being burned, shattering the accident narrative.
Under SSP directives, Rural SP Praveen Pushkar formed a special team. Their swift probe led to the arrests of Sonaram Lohra, Soma Lohra, Lakhichand Lohra, Kalicharan Lohra, Amit Lohra, and Vishnu Mahto—all locals. Interrogations revealed Sonaram’s deep-seated suspicion. ‘She knew witchcraft and cast spells that killed my kids,’ he confessed, justifying the plot.
For a mere Rs 2 lakh contract, Sonaram hired shooters who stormed Etwari’s home, executed her, and dumped her body in the fire to hide evidence. They nearly succeeded, but police intervention foiled the cover-up. Seized items included a country-made pistol, two motorcycles, and two mobiles.
This gruesome episode underscores the persistent grip of superstition in rural India, where blind faith claims innocent lives. Authorities vow thorough investigation and justice, urging communities to shun such deadly myths.