Kerala Police hunt for ‘sorcerer’ who locked 2 women, child at black magic centre in Pathanamthitta

The police told South First that Shobhana and her husband are absconding and the probe was ongoing.

Also read: 2 Kerala women murdered in a case of ‘human sacrifice’

Earlier arrest

In October last year, Shobhana and her husband were arrested by the police for performing black magic rituals at her residence.

She was arrested shortly after the infamous human sacrifice incident in Kerala, which sent shockwaves across the country.

Two women — Roselyn and Padma — were murdered in an apparent case of human sacrifice for “economic prosperity” at Elanthoor in the Pathanamthitta district.

The same month, video clips of a child falling unconscious during a “ceremony” by Shobhana surfaced on the internet.

The two women and the child who were locked in the mutt were the wife, mother and daughter of John, who is also absconding.

According to police, Shobana’s husband and John met in prison and decided to stay with their families together at the Vasanthi Amma Mutt.

Related: Kerala human sacrifice case: R Selvaraj seeks remains of mother

No black magic performed: Police

According to the police, the court — after the arrest in October — imprisoned Shobhana for four days for practising black magic, and restrained her from entering the building for two months.

The police estimate that both parties had a falling out as John did not repay the loan taken from Shobhana.

She locked the remaining members of John’s family in her Mutt since he absconded from the Mutt.

“Since we remanded Shobhana last year black magic has not occurred in that centre. There was a financial transaction between the two which Aneesh did not pay back. Thus, Aneesh had to relocate from the house, and the women and the child were left alone,” said Malayalappuzha Sub Inspector Aneesh to South First.

“In the FIR, we have invoked IPC sections for physical assault and for illegal confinement. However, all sections are bailable,” the police officer continued.

After rescuing the women and the child from confinement, the locals, including DYFI activists, demolished certain areas of Vasanthi Amma Mutt where black magic rituals were performed.