Baripada: A couple was hacked to death for allegedly practising sorcery at Kitabeda village under Bisoi police limits in Mayurbhanj district, on Tuesday.
The accused, Ajay Nayak (23) of Kitabeda village allegedly hacked to death Debendra Nayak (70) and his wife Champa (48) with the help of an axe.
According to the family members of the deceased couple, Ajay had been suspecting that Debendra and his wife Champa were practising witchcraft, which led to frequent illnesses of his father and son. That’s why Ajay hatched a plan to eliminate the couple.
On the fateful day, Ajay came to Debendra when the latter was busy watering plants. Ajay, who had a grudge against the couple, attacked Debendra with an axe, killing him on the spot. He then entered the couple’s house and attacked Champa, who was sleeping, killing her as well.
The couple’s daughter-in-law, Sumitra, who was sleeping with her infant daughter, witnessed the brutal murder and managed to escape with her child. She hid in a nearby village and informed her brother-in-law, Rabindra Naik, about the incident over the phone on Tuesday morning.
Rabindra immediately informed the Bisoi police, who reached the spot and seized the axe used in the crime. Police, meanwhile, detained Ajay for questioning.
