A man allegedly beheaded a young child in a Hindu/witchcraft related incident at the beginning of the month.
Tirumala Rao allegedly kidnapped the boy, reported to be 4 or 5, from the boy’s daycare.
The Mirror reports Rao performed a prayer ritual before cutting off the helpless boy’s head, collecting his blood in a vessel and sprinkling it all over his house.
“Such things might have happened in these parts during British times but they are uncommon in Independent India though animal sacrifices are often performed to appease villages deities,” Rationalists Association of India member Ch. Seshaiah tells The Hindu.
Rao allegedly told enraged villagers he could bring the boy back to life. The villagers attempted to lynch Rao and doused him in gasoline to set him ablaze.
Police say Rao sought “divine” powers and previously attempted to attack his own brother with a sickle.
