Bathinda: Children killed in bid to ‘rid them of evil spirits’, father and grandmother arrested

It was initially alleged that the family had called a tantric (occultist) to the house, said Bathinda senior superintendent of police (SSP) Swapan Sharma. “But it has come to light that the father and grandmother themselves tortured the children resulting in their death.”

A five-year-old boy and his three-year-old sister were found dead after they were allegedly electrocuted by their father and grandmother who were “treating” them for the past four days as they believed the children were “possessed by evil spirits”, at Kotfatta village near Bathinda on Wednesday.

Ranjodh Singh and Inamika, the victims. (HT Photo)

The bodies of Ranjodh Singh and Inamika were found at their house late evening after police were informed by some villagers. Their father Kulwinder Singh and grandmother Nirmal Kaur were arrested.

It was initially alleged that the family had called a tantric (occultist) to the house, said Bathinda senior superintendent of police (SSP) Swapan Sharma. “But it has come to light that the father and grandmother themselves tortured the children resulting in their death. Nirmal Kaur had convinced Kulwinder to join her in ‘treating’ the children while they locked Kulwinder’s wife (victims’ mother) in a room to avoid hindrance,” he added.