Sorceress and Three Accomplices Arrested for Businessman's Death in Kerala Linked to Gold Theft

A 38-year-old woman, believed to be a sorceress, was arrested with her husband and two other women by the Kerala police's Special Investigation Team. They are linked to the death of a Gulf-based businessman in northern Kerala last year. A senior officer confirmed that Shameema, her husband, and the two women were detained on Wednesday night.

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Haji, aged 55, was discovered dead at his Poochakkad home early on April 14, 2023. This date coincided with the 25th day of Ramadan. Due to its significance, his body was quickly buried. The police stated that Haji's death was connected to his demand for the return of 596 sovereigns of gold. Shameema and her group had taken this gold under the guise of using supernatural powers to double it.

Investigation Unveils Deception

The investigation revealed that Shameema and her group used sorcery rituals to deceive Haji's family. These rituals involved midnight invocations and talisman preparations. Shameema claimed to channel a Kannada-speaking spirit named Pathutti for remedies. The group used similar tactics on other victims, extorting gold and cash.

Suspicion arose when Haji's relatives visited his home to inquire about the gold he had borrowed as loans. They found that 596 sovereigns of ornaments from 12 family members were missing. Noticing this discrepancy, Haji's son filed complaints with the police, leading to an investigation by Bekal Police.

Scientific Investigation and Arrests

The arrests followed a scientific investigation revealing their involvement in M C Abdul Gafoor Haji's death. Haji owned several businesses, including supermarkets. On April 27, 2023, his body was exhumed for a post-mortem examination, which showed head injuries.

WhatsApp messages between the deceased and Shameema were recovered by police. These messages indicated she had previously obtained Rs 10 lakh and gold ornaments from Haji. Additionally, the accused charged Rs 55,000 for rituals involving gold-coloured paper talismans.

The investigation was led by an 11-member police team under District Police Chief D Shilpa's supervision. DCRB Dy SP K J Johnson and Bekal Inspector K P Shine spearheaded the efforts.

The case highlights how individuals can exploit beliefs in supernatural powers for personal gain. It also underscores the importance of thorough investigations in uncovering such deceptive practices.