Baripada: A 30-year-old woman was allegedly raped for three days by a self-styled witch doctor in Mayurbhanj district after she approached him seeking relief from marital and family problems, police said.
The incident reportedly occurred in Madhupur village under Bisoi police station limits, and a rape case has been registered in connection with the complaint.
According to the woman’s complaint, she is from the Joda area of Keonjhar district and had been living with friends at Gorumahisani after losing her parents. She entered into a love marriage with a man from the Bisoi area in September this year.
However, she alleged that a few days after the marriage, she was subjected to physical and mental torture by her in-laws. She also suffered from persistent fever and developed differences with her husband amid the family dispute.
Seeking to restore her relationship with her husband and improve her health, the woman approached Lakshman Lohar, a self-styled witch doctor who allegedly claimed that tantric rituals and worship could resolve her problems.
The woman went to Lohar’s house near Pukriput Dam Chhak in Madhupur village on Thursday, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her repeatedly over three days, according to the complaint.
After falling ill, she called a 108 ambulance on Monday and was admitted to Rairangpur Sub Divisional Hospital for treatment. She also informed medical personnel about the alleged assault.
On Tuesday, Bisoi police reached the hospital, recorded her statement and facilitated her medical examination.
Police registered a case under Case No. 218/26 and subsequently arrested Lohar. He is being interrogated, and police said further legal action will follow after completion of the investigation. The accused is expected to be produced before a court.
