Rajkot, May 20: In a shocking incident in Gujarat, a three-month-old girl was allegedly branded by a witch doctor in Rajkot on Friday, May 17. The infant who was branded on her stomach reportedly died on Sunday, May 19. Police officials said that the deceased girl was allegedly branded by a "bhuva" (witch doctor) in the Joravarnagar area of Surendranagar.

After being admitted to the children’s hospital in Rajkot on Friday, May 17, the infant breathed her last on Sunday, May 19. According to a report in the Times of India, the alleged incident came to light on Friday when the three-month-old girl was admitted to the children's hospital in Rajkot after developing health complications due to the alleged branding on her stomach. Gujarat Shocker: 71-Year-Old Woman Robbed, Killed at Housing Society in Vadodara; One Held.

Police officials said that the deceased girl's parents are working as casual labourers. An official said that the parents took the infant to a witch doctor as the child used to fall sick regularly. Sources close to the case said that the infant's father was HIV positive. They further said that the parents took the child to a witch doctor as they wanted to ensure that the girl child did not have the same infection.

To ensure this, the parents took the child to the "bhuva" for branding. However, the police are yet to confirm this theory. Meanwhile, it is also suspected that the three-month-old child was HIV positive. While the police gather evidence to ascertain the facts of the case, a complaint has been registered in connection with the incident. Gujarat Shocker: Music Teacher Booked for Sexually Assaulting Two Students at School in Jamnagar District.

In a separate incident, a three-month-old boy from Madha Padesh was also branded in the city. The child was admitted to the Rajkot Children's Hospital on Friday, May 17.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 20, 2024 05:42 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).