Archive · 7 Aug 2026
Rajasthan woman branded witch, alleges relatives grabbed her land
A woman named Sugna Devi lives in a village in Rajasthan, India, with her husband.
She says her husband's relatives were very mean to her.
They called her a witch and said she 'ate' two family members who had died from a lung illness caused by mining dust.
The relatives cut her hair, hit her, tore her clothes, and pushed her out of her own house.
Then they took over her house and the farming land that belongs to her husband.
They said she must pay 20 lakh rupees, about 10 lakh for each person who died, before she can come back.
This kind of payment is an old local custom called motanna.
The woman and her husband are too scared to go home and are living somewhere else.
The police have registered a case against the relatives for hurting her, trespassing, and threatening her.
The police officer in charge says the real problem is a property fight that started 15 years ago.
Sugna Devi, a 40-year-old tribal woman from Malera village in Pindwara, Sirohi district, alleged she was branded a 'dayan' (witch) by relatives.
She alleged around a dozen relatives cut her hair, beat her, tore her clothes, and threw her out of the house.
The relatives accused her of 'eating' Mana, who died of silicosis about six months ago, and Mana's son Prabhu, who died about 2.5 months ago.
The accused allegedly occupied the couple's house and agricultural land and demanded Rs 20 lakh (Rs 10 lakh per death) as motanna compensation to allow them to return.
An FIR was lodged under BNS sections including assault, disrobing, hurt, trespass and extortion, along with the Rajasthan Prevention of Witch Hunting Act; police say the dispute stems from a 15-year-old property quarrel.
- Who
- Sugna Devi, a 40-year-old tribal woman, and her husband Lasma Ram alias Laxman Ram, residents of Malera village in Pindwara; the accused are around a dozen of Laxman Ram's relatives.
- What
- She alleges relatives branded her a witch, assaulted and forcibly tonsured her, and occupied her house and agricultural land while demanding Rs 20 lakh to allow her return.
- When
- Recently; Mana died about six months ago and Prabhu about 2.5 months ago, both from silicosis, and an FIR has been lodged since (exact dates not stated).
- Where
- Malera village, Pindwara, Sirohi district, Rajasthan.
- Why
- She was accused of being a 'dayan' who 'ate' two relatives who died of silicosis, and the accused allegedly seek to seize the couple's property and collect motanna death compensation.
Allegations of witch-hunting
Police assessment
Nature of the dispute
Allegations of witch-hunting
Sugna Devi alleges relatives branded her a witch, assaulted her, and occupied her house and land to force payment.
Police assessment
Pindwara SHO Chail Singh Chouhan says the conflict stems from a 15-year-old property dispute among Laxman Ram's relatives.
Deaths and compensation demand
Allegations of witch-hunting
She says she is being blamed for deaths from silicosis and forced to pay Rs 10 lakh per death as motanna compensation under threat of death.
Police assessment
The SHO confirms both relatives died of silicosis and that the accused are relatives involved in the long-running property quarrel.
- Complainant
- Sugna Devi, wife of Lasma Ram alias Laxman Ram
- Location
- Malera village, Pindwara, Sirohi district, Rajasthan
- Accused
- Around a dozen relatives of Laxman Ram
- Deaths cited
- Mana (about 6 months ago) and Prabhu (about 2.5 months ago), both from silicosis
- Money demanded
- Rs 20 lakh (Rs 10 lakh each for the two deaths)
- Custom cited
- Motanna - compensation money sought for a death
- FIR sections
- BNS (assault, disrobing, hurt, trespass, extortion) and Sections 3 and 4 of the Rajasthan Prevention of Witch Hunting Act
- Police response
- Pindwara SHO Chail Singh Chouhan says it stems from a 15-year-old property dispute