27-Jul-2014
KOCHI: As the educated and progressive Kerala’s yearning for panacea continues unabated, sorcery thrives as a lucrative business here. The latest victim is Haseena, a 26-year-old mother hailing from Kannankara Kuttiyil Veedu, Kadathoor, Thazhava in Kollam district. Having undergone sever torture in the name of exorcism for several weeks to cure her alleged mental illness, Haseena died due to serious injuries on her spine inflicted by a Sidhan (sorcerer) named Sirajuddin.
Police arrested Sirajuddin, 36, from Bismi Manzil, Athikkattukulangara, Nooranad and slapped murder charges against him. Hassan, the victim’s father, and Kabir, her neighbour, were also arrested for abetting the crime. Haseena’s father, an uneducated NRI, even offered `5 lakh for the ‘spiritual treatment’.
Police enquiry found that Sirajuddin never received proper education on conducting religious rituals. He is also involved in several crimes including possession of multiple passports and attempt to rape a girl in an orphanage, which he started at Adinattukulangara. He also had agents at Kayamkulam, Karunagappally, Adoor, and Sasthamkotta.
The autopsy revealed a broken spinal cord and severe internal bleeding. Haseena’s body was weakened with limited food for several weeks. She used to resist during the first few days, but later she was weakened by the torture and lack of proper food, police said.
Social activists and legal experts say the inability to differentiate between faith and superstition or demarcate the right and wrong prevents effective enforcement of law to root out the menace of superstition
THE DISPATCH...On Mental Health 