Sons try to burn alive father, witch stepmother

[emad]

Two brothers in Mothukapally tried to burn alive their father and “sorceress” stepmother on Monday, apparently to avenge the death of their mother, a “victim of banamati” (black magic).

Punesh and Ravi suspected that their stepmother, Yadamma, practised banamati. A. Shankaraiah, the duo’s father, had married Yadamma after his wife died of ill health a few years ago. The brothers held their stepmother responsible for their mother’s death. When Punesh’s wife became ill, a local sorcerer pointed an accusing finger at Yadamma.

According to city police, the brothers convinced close relatives that they were victims of banamati and decided to kill both Shankaraiah and Yadamma. On Monday night, the two along with some relatives made a huge fire before their house and pushed Shankaraiah and Yadamma into it.

Hearing their screams, villagers rushed to the house, put out the blaze and took them to a hospital here. They are said to be in a critical condition.
Sons try to burn alive father, witch stepmother