Faith Healer Confesses to Killing Pregnant Teen in Assam
A shocking case has emerged from Assam's Jorhat district where a 63-year-old self-proclaimed faith healer has been arrested for the murder of an 18-year-old pregnant student whose body was discovered in a septic tank. The accused, identified as Jagat Singha, confessed to the crime after sustained police interrogation.
Gruesome Discovery and Investigation
The victim's body was recovered from a septic tank in the early hours of Monday, approximately four days after her family had reported her missing on November 7. Police investigations revealed the young woman was approximately seven months pregnant at the time of her death.
According to Jorhat SSP Subhrajyoti Borah, the victim had turned 18 just two months earlier and was currently appearing for her college examinations. The investigation took a crucial turn when police learned that Singha had attempted to take his own life while in custody on November 9.
Multiple Arrests and POCSO Charges
Police have made multiple arrests in connection with the case. Apart from the main accused Jagat Singha, authorities have also arrested a local pharmacist who was allegedly aware of the pregnancy but failed to report it to authorities - an offense punishable under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Singha's two sons, Jibon and Kishan, aged 40 and 31 respectively, have also been taken into custody for allegedly assisting in the crime. The primary accused has been booked under the stringent POCSO Act.
Superstition and Faith Healing Connection
Police investigations suggest that the victim's connection with the accused began through his claims of being a faith healer. According to statements from the victim's family, Singha had given her a pen claiming it had special powers.
"Her family said that her exam is ongoing and they used the term 'joraphuka' (faith healing). [They said] that he had given her a pen and that she believed if she wrote with that pen, the outcome of the exam would be good. That is how they got in touch. There was some element of superstition," SSP Borah explained.
Police Action and Public Outrage
The case has triggered significant public outrage in the area, with local residents protesting what they perceived as negligence and callousness in the investigation by the Officer-in-Charge of the local police station.
In response to these allegations, the police officer has been placed in "reserve closed" - meaning he will be away from active duty. The Assam Police headquarters has initiated a departmental inquiry into the matter.
The investigation continues as authorities work to uncover all details surrounding this tragic case that has shocked the Jorhat community and raised serious questions about the exploitation of superstition and faith healing practices.
