Dhangadi, March 10

District Police Office, Kailali, has started an investigation into the incident in which Radha Chaudhary, 20, of Deukali of Ghodaghodi Municipality-5, Kailali, was beaten black and blue on the charge of practising witchcraft on Thursday.

DSP Sagar Bohora said his office had arrested Ram Bahadur Chaudhary, a local shaman and started an investigation. “A manhunt to nab other people involved in the incident is on,” DSP Bohora said. Sub-Inspector Dinesh Bista said search was on to arrest Kishmati Chaudhary who called Bhole baba aka Ram Chaudhary and dragged Radha out of her home.

Kailali CDO Govind Rijal said preparation was on to file the case against the people involved in thrashing the victim girl. “This is a crime and guilty in the incident will be brought to justice,” Rijal said.

Meanwhile, District Police Office, Kailali, sought clarification with Sub Inspector Dinesh Bista of Area Police Office, Sukkhad, asking him why Bhole baba aka Ram Chaudhary was released on Thursday within 24 hours. Bista had freed Bhole baba in the presence of Ghodaghodi Municipality Mayor Mamata Prasad chaudhary, ward chair Prem Rokaya and victim girl’s father Jokhan Chaudhary.

The case was settled after the mayor pressed for reconciliation. After the news came to the media, Bhole baba aka Ram Bahdaur Chaudhary was arrested again.

The injured Radha is undergoing treatment at Seti Zonal Hospital. Her health condition is becoming normal. The girl has received cuts on her abdomen, chest, legs, neck, nose, ears, among other body parts. The victim demanded that guilty be brought to book.

Radha said that Bhole Baba aka Ram Bahadur had thrashed many women and girls charging them of practising witchcraft in the village. She is an eleventh grader at local Rastriya Secondary, Sukkhad.

While Radha was cleaning cowshed at around 7:00am, neighbour Kishmati Chaudhary had dragged her out of the cowshed. Radha said a group of seven persons were involved in beating her mercilessly. “They caught me by my hairs and dragged me to the ground and thrashed. People sat around as if a fair was under way. When I begged for help, no one came to my rescue,” Radha bemoaned.