Gujarat: 7-Month-Old Baby in Banaskantha Allegedly Branded With Hot Iron by Tantrik for ‘Cure’
The seven-month-old baby girl was subjected to branding after her parents took her to a 'tantrik' (witchdoctor) believing that it would cure toddler's breathing problem.
Banaskantha, June 11: The seven-month-old baby girl was subjected to branding after her parents took her to a 'tantrik' (witchdoctor) believing that it would cure toddler's breathing problem. The witchdoctor reportedly branded the child with a "daam (tong)". The incident took place on Sunday in a village in Banaskantha and later the girl was admitted to a private hospital after her health deteriorated. Woman in Delhi Asked Tantrik to Save Her Marriage, Gets Duped of Rs 61,000 and Husband Demands Divorce.
According to a video that surfaced online, the toddler has a cross-mark branding on her chest along with straight branding below her navel. The child's parents belong to the Thakore community and her parents are farmers. After the video surfaced online, police have launched an investigation.
“We have sent a team to the village where the girl child lives. Due action will be taken once our initial probe is finished,” said a police official. According to Indian Express sources, police will file FIR against Parents as well as tantrik. When cops complete their investigation, the district child welfare official will file a police complaint.
According to the doctors, the seven-month-old baby has a heart complication. "She has had a hole in her heart since birth and she has breathing issues due to it,” said a doctor to the national daily. Meanwhile, the child is out of danger now.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 11, 2019 01:42 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).