In a heart-wrenching incident in Sindh’s Badin district, a pregnant woman was killed during a brutal exorcism ritual. The victim, 30-year-old Sangita Kolhi, endured five days of severe beatings, ultimately leading to her death. This tragedy took place in Khuda Bakhsh Hisbani village near Malkani Sharif town.
The ordeal began when her husband’s family handed her over to two local witch-doctors, Bachu Kolhi and Harsan Kolhi. They claimed she was possessed by an evil spirit and required their intervention. These self-proclaimed exorcists conducted the ritual in a temple across from her home. Shockingly, their so-called “procedure” involved continuous hair-pulling, fists, and beatings with sticks.
Unfortunately, Sangita’s screams went unanswered, as the bhopas warned that interference would disrupt their ritual. Even her family and neighbors, who tried to intervene, were stopped. Tragically, she succumbed to her injuries on Sunday night, leaving behind grieving loved ones.
Following her death, police arrested the two bhopas at the scene. However, despite their detention, authorities have yet to file a formal case. Sangita’s family, who traveled from Jhuddo to visit her, reported she was healthy before the horrific event. They were refused access to her during the ritual, being told they could meet her the next day. Heartbreakingly, when they finally saw her, she had already passed away.
This incident reveals the dangerous grip of superstitions in certain Pakistani communities. Many still attribute problems to evil spirits or black magic, turning to witch-doctors for solutions. Unfortunately, such practices often involve violent, harmful rituals that endanger lives.
This tragic death highlights the urgent need for awareness campaigns against harmful traditional practices. Communities require education to understand the risks of such rituals and adopt safer alternatives. Stricter enforcement of laws is also essential to protect individuals from such violence.
