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86-year-old man burnt alive over witchcraft charge
An 86-year-old man was burnt alive over witchcraft allegation in Hetauday-8, Maka-wanpur, on January 13.Pratap Bista
An 86-year-old man was burnt alive over witchcraft allegation in Hetauday-8, Maka-wanpur, on January 13.
Investigation has revealed that Hasta Bahadur Magar was set on fire by his
neighbour, Krishna Bahadur Magar, over a superstitious idea.
Police said murder accused Krishna Bahadur was convinced he had been getting skin rashes because Hasta Bahadur put a black spell on him. And when a Kathmandu-based astrologer told Krishna Bahadur that an old shaman in his neighbourhood was responsible for his skin
disease, he went on to commit the crime.
A few years ago, Krishna Bahadur had also tried to attack Hasta Bahadur’s son, Bir Bahadur. After that incident, Bir Bahadur left the village, leaving behind his old father.
Police said Krishna Bahadur went to visit Hasta Bahadur at his house on the evening of January 13, carrying petrol that he had bought in the morning.
In his statement to police, Krishna Bahadur confessed that he splashed the petrol
on Hasta Bahadur and set him on fire.
Initially, the locals had assumed that Hasta Bahadur had died an accident while trying to make a fire.