Woman whipped to death after villagers accused her of being a witch

A 45-year-old woman was whipped to death by a lynchmob in India's West Bengal after villagers accused her of being a witch.



Sambari Tudu was dragged from her home by fellow villagers before they tied her to a post, thrashed her and left her to die, Zee New reports.

A number of her neighbours had fallen ill and their families blamed Ms Tudu. They went to the village elders and accused Ms Tudu of witchcraft.


The village elders held a 'trial' where Ms Tudu was not present, and sentenced her to death.


A senior district police officer said Ms Tudu was dragged from her house by some locals late Monday night, after which she was tied up and whipped until she 'slumped to the ground'.
The attackers left her still tied to the post, and she died soon after.

Eight people have been arrested in connection with her death, and further raids are being carried out, local police said.

In recent years, there have been numerous reports of women being branded witches in India. Women can be accused of witchcraft following illnesses, deaths or poor crops, but activists say there is often a motive behind the murders, such as a dispute or an intention to acquire the woman's land or other assets.

In 2013 alone, there were 160 murders linked to witch hunts, but the unofficial figures are believed to be higher.