Witch practices in Islam

The Manjeri Judicial First Class Magistrate dismissed bail applications of the witch doctor and her accomplice, who had tried to subject an 18-year-old to abortion by crude methods last month. Magistrate PJ Vincent sent Sakeena (35), the witch doctor, and her accomplice Saleem (40) into custody for another two weeks.

The duo forcibly tried to subject Sajitha; an 18-year-old married girl, to an abortion using dangerous methods in a shed near her house in Kavannor. They convinced Sajitha’s relatives that the child she was going to deliver was an evil spirit, in their ignorant belief they agreed for the abortion. Sajitha was saved by neighbours and relatives, and taken to the Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode in a critical condition.

Social activists opine such incidents are not infrequent, where witch doctors and quacks take advantage of people’s superstitions.