Palms burnt, hot coin pressed on forehead:Woman tortured for ‘exorcising evil spirits’ in Ujjain; 8 booked

A 22-year-old woman was allegedly tortured in the name of exorcising an evil spirit from her body in Ujjain.
The victim’s palms and head were burned with hot coins, leaving her unconscious due to excruciating pain. The incident reportedly took place on 29 September, but the victim filed a complaint 10 days later, on 9 October. Following her complaint, the police have registered an FIR against eight individuals involved in the ordeal. Victim brought by her mother to a village in Khachrod The victim, Urmila, a resident of Juna Samodia, Ujjain, was married in Gautampura. For the past few days, she had been living with her mother in her Ujjain home along with her daughter. Urmila had been unwell for several days and had consulted multiple doctors, but her condition did not improve. Upon learning of her daughter’s deteriorating health, Urmila’s mother took her to a woman in Srivachchh village near Khachrod, who reportedly claims to channel the goddess during Navratri. The woman assured that Urmila’s daughter would be cured of her ailment and freed from any evil spirit through her rituals. Beaten with chains, hot coin pressed on head On the seventh day of Navratri, Urmila, her mother, and two family members visited the village. Urmila was taken alone to a room by Sudha Bai, Sudha’s son Kanha, Manohar Bhil, Kanha Bhil, Santosh Chaudhary, Raju Chaudhary, Kanha Chaudhary, and Ritesh Chaudhary. Here, she was beaten with chains, then tied up. Her palms were burned with cotton wicks soaked in ghee, and the process continued until her hands were severely burnt. Following this, a hot coin was pressed on her forehead, causing the skin on her head to peel off. The pain was so intense that Urmila lost consciousness. FIR registered against eight people After nearly ten days, Urmila approached the Ujjain Women’s Police Station with her family. TI Leela Solanki, upon seeing the severe burns on her hands and head, was shocked. An investigation revealed that Sudha Bai in Srivachchh village regularly performs such rituals and exorcisms. The police have now filed an FIR against eight individuals, including the main accused Sudha Bai, her son Kanha, Manohar Bhil, Kanha Bhil, Santosh Chaudhary, Raju Chaudhary, Kanha Chaudhary, and Ritesh Chaudhary. Four of the accused are reportedly members of Urmila’s own family. Victim sought spiritual help due to ill health Urmila explained, I live with my mother after separating from my husband. I work making incense to support myself and my two-year-old daughter. I had recurring fever and was being treated at Dr. Abbas’s clinic near KD Gate, but my health kept deteriorating. That’s why we decided to seek blessings from the goddess during Navratri. She added that she and her mother believed the rituals would help cure her persistent illness. Police action and condition of victim TI Leela Solanki stated that action has been taken based on Urmila’s complaint. Three of the accused have been taken into custody, while investigations continue to identify the full network of perpetrators. Even 10 days after the incident, Urmila’s hands remain severely burned with visible blisters, reflecting the extreme cruelty inflicted during the ritual. “The woman’s hands and forehead have sustained serious burns, and we are providing her medical assistance while the case is being investigated,” TI Solanki said.