A 35-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly shooting dead his aunt in Mehandwani village in Hoshiarpur district, Punjab, police confirmed on Monday. The accused, identified as Rakesh Kumar, was arrested from Shahpur Ghate on February 22 after a special investigation team traced him following the February 7 incident.

Details of the Crime

The victim, Rachna, was the wife of a retired sub-inspector from the Punjab Police. She was shot dead around 5:30 am while returning home after paying homage at Maharaj Bhuriwale Kutia, a local shrine. The attack occurred on February 7, and the police registered a case under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act at Garhshankar police station.

According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Daljit Singh Khakh, the accused had planned the murder. He had dropped off his wife and children at his in-laws’ village a few days before the incident and borrowed a motorcycle, claiming his car was not working. On the day of the crime, he allegedly waited along the route his aunt would take, covered his face, and fired three shots at her before fleeing the scene.

Motives and Police Findings

During preliminary questioning, Rakesh Kumar reportedly told police that he suspected Rachna of practicing black magic on his family. He claimed this belief was rooted in his father’s death and repeated losses in his garment business in Himachal Pradesh. The police said he had a motive and had planned the crime carefully.

Authorities recovered a .32 bore pistol, three live cartridges, a sharp-edged weapon, and the motorcycle used in the crime from Rakesh Kumar’s possession. He was produced before a local court and remanded to three days of police custody.

The accused had also switched off his mobile phone to avoid detection, according to police. The investigation is ongoing, and the special team is working to establish the full timeline and any potential accomplices.

Broader Implications

While such cases of black magic-related violence are not common, they reflect deep-seated beliefs in rural Punjab, where superstitions and traditional practices often play a significant role in daily life. According to a 2022 report by the National Crime Records Bureau, incidents involving alleged witchcraft or black magic accounted for 0.8% of all reported crimes in the state, though most were not violent.

Experts say such cases often arise from personal grievances or family disputes, with the accused using the belief in black magic to justify their actions. “These crimes are usually rooted in personal vendettas, but they are often exaggerated or framed in a supernatural context,” said Dr. Anjali Mehta, a criminologist based in Chandigarh.

Police have emphasized the importance of addressing such cases to prevent the spread of fear and misinformation in the community. They also noted that the accused will be tried under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which includes stringent penalties for murder and the use of illegal arms.

The case is expected to be reviewed by higher authorities, with further charges potentially filed if more evidence emerges during the investigation. The victim’s family has not publicly commented on the case, and the court has scheduled the next hearing for March 15.