In India, few most common superstitions include a black cat crossing the road symbolizing bad luck, drinking milk after eating fish can cause skin disease and whatnot. Similarly, sacrificing human life in the name of black magic to conceive a child or get a job is one of the most dangerous superstitions prevalent in our country. In a shocking incident in Kerala, two women were allegedly killed by a couple, and their body parts were chopped as part of black magic in Elanthoor village of Pathanamthitta district. These two were lured in the name of an acting job and brutally murdered for a ritual, believing it would bring prosperity to the couple. They were not only murdered, but some of their body parts were also consumed by the couple.
In this article, we will discuss the shocking incident of the human sacrifice of two women in Kerala out of superstition, the act of cannibalism, and the provisions specifying punishments for cannibalism and many more.
What is Cannibalism?
Talking about cannibalism, what it means? It means the practice of a person who eats human flesh or the ceremonial eating of human flesh or parts of the human body for magical or religious purposes. However, no specific law in India declares the consumption of human flesh to be an illegal act.
Which provision makes cannibalism an offence?
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Not illegal per se, but cannibalism in India requires human flesh consumption; firstly, one would have to kill a person, thereby committing the offence of culpable homicide (which may or may not be amounting to murder).
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Similarly, if the injuries caused by such cannibalism are considered life-threatening, the offence of attempting to commit culpable homicide would be applicable.
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If we think of a gorier instance, then say if someone intends only to take a bite from a living being, then he can be booked for committing hurt/grievous hurt (using sharp objects/dangerous weapons)
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Also, if the cannibal were to exhume a dead body from a grave site, they could be charged for trespassing on burial places, and they can also be charged for outraging the religious feelings of any class.
Therefore, it may not be illegal per se, but it attracts several provisions of IPC.
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What was the Kerala human sacrifice?
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The accused Bhagaval Singh was Elanthoor's local massage therapist & his second wife Laila, was locally famous.
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Bhagaval Singh and Laila were facing some financial issues when someone called 'Sridevi' approached them on Facebook, claiming to know a black magic practitioner who could help them fight the financial issues.
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However, 'Sridevi' and the black magic practitioner were the same, Mohammed Shafi, accused No 3 of this case, was a habitual offender with another murder charge to his name,
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Shafi convinced Singh to do many things & to ask for money in exchange of getting rid of all his problems and ensuring prosperity.
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Therefore, he suggested a human sacrifice Singh again fell for the promises.
City Police Commissioner C H Nagaraju stated that police are collecting evidence in this regard. He said, “there's some information that the accused ate parts of the body after killing the victims. It is being investigated. We have to conduct DNA analysis and other scientific examinations."
Three persons, Muhammad Shafi (52), Bhagaval Singh (68) and his wife Laila (59) were arrested on Tuesday in connection with the murder of two women- Padmam (52), and Rosily Varghese (50). A judicial first-class magistrate court in Ernakulam remanded the three accused persons into judicial custody for 14 days.. They are charged with criminal conspiracy, abduction, murder and destruction of evidence.