Suspecting black magic behind illness; Man kills daughter-in-law by hitting her head with axe

NAGPUR: A man killed his daughter-in-law by hitting her head with an axe on Saturday in Nagpur. The victim has been identified as 42-year-old Lakshmi Ravishankar Pali. The police have taken her father-in-law, 72-year-old Nathulal Pali, into police custody.

A verbal dispute broke out between Lakshmi and Nathulal while she was washing clothes. In a fit of rage, Nathulal hit her head with an axe killing her on the spot itself. He then jumped into a well behind the house. On being informed, the police arrived, took him out with the help of the local people and rushed him to the medical hospital.

Nathulal frequently suffered from illnesses and suspected his daughter-in-law of practicing black magic on him, which he believed was the reason for his health issues. Nathulal reportedly believed that black magic was responsible not only for his recurring illnesses but also for the death of his son three years ago. Police said the two frequently quarrelled over this issue.

Police also said that Lakshmi had been living with her two children in separate rooms in the house. After completing the inquest procedures, the body was sent for post-mortem. The Yashodhara Nagar police registered a murder case and launched an investigation.