A 50-year-old man from Gadha VDC-9 in Siraha was assaulted and force-fed human excreta by his neighbours on witchcraft allegation.

The victim, Ramsuphal Yadav, said he was attacked on Tuesday morning on the accusation of casting “death spell” on the 14-year-old son of his neighbour Om Prakash Sahani. The boy had died while being treated for a neurological disease in Dharan last  month.

Yadav’s wife Sitadevi was also attacked in the incident.

Following the incident, Yadav filed a police case against Om Prakash, Mahabir Sahani, Rajendra Sahani, Rakesh Kumar Sahani, Sikandar Sahani and Janak Dulari.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Uma Prasad Chaturbedi said they arrested three of the suspects, Mahabir, Janak and Rakesh Kumar, for investigation. The other suspects are at large.  

DSP Chaturbedi said the suspects will be charged under the Witchcraft Act (Charge and Punishment) 2014.

Local human rights activist Binod Bisunke termed the incident inhuman and demanded stern action against the persons who assaulted and humiliated Yadav.