Kollam (Kerala)— A man from Kerala’s Kollam district has been booked for allegedly pouring hot fish curry on his wife’s face following an argument over performing black magic, police said on Thursday.
The victim, identified as 36-year-old Rejila Gafoor of Vaikkal near Chadayamangalam, sustained burn injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital, while her husband, Sajeer, has gone absconding.
According to the FIR, the incident occurred around 10 a.m. on Wednesday inside the couple’s rented home. Sajeer reportedly asked his wife to loosen her hair, sit in front of him, and allow him to apply ashes and tie a locket allegedly given by a black magic practitioner. When Rejila refused, he poured the boiling fish curry—still cooking on the stove—onto her face.
Hearing her cries, neighbours rushed to her aid and took her to the hospital. Police said the accused believed his wife was possessed and had assaulted her on multiple occasions in the past. She had earlier lodged a complaint against him, after which he was warned by police, but he continued visiting black magic practitioners.
In her statement to a local TV channel, Rejila claimed that her husband frequently visited a self-proclaimed spiritual healer, or Usthad, in Anchal, who allegedly instructed him to apply ashes and tie a talisman around her body to rid her of “evil spirits.” She also accused him of often assaulting their son.
Police have registered a case under Section 118(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (causing hurt using dangerous means or weapons). Efforts are underway to locate and arrest Sajeer.
