Ranchi, Jan 3 (IANS) Three members of a family, including a married daughter, were hacked to death on the outskirts of Ranchi Sunday allegedly for practising black magic, police said.
Jhirghi Khakha, 63, was killed along with his wife Soma Khakha and 35-year-old married daughter Phulo by a group of villagers Sunday morning. “A group of villagers barged into Jhirghi’s house and dragged the family members to the fields, where they were hacked to death,” a police official told IANS.

The incident took place at Saugad Bustee under Tupudana police station, around 25 km from Ranchi.

The villagers alleged Jhirgi was an ‘ojha’ (exorcist). A girl who was under his treatment had died last month, inviting the wrath of her parents and relatives. They branded Jhirgi as a witch who practised black magic and caused the death of the girl.

To avenge the death of the girl, Jhirgi, his wife and daughter were beaten with sticks and rods and later hacked to death with axes.

Police have arrested three people in this connection.