Hassan: Self-styled godman beats woman to death to ‘cure’ headache

Hassan: A 37-year-old woman died after a self-styled godman allegedly hit her in the head claiming to cure her headache in  Hassan district.

The victim identified as Parvathi, a resident of Gowdarahalli in Hassan had been complaining of headaches for two months and despite several doctor visits she was not cured.

Parvathi’s relative Manjula asked her to come to Bekka and meet Manu (42), a self-styled godman. On December 2, the accused (Manu) gave a lemon to Parvathi and asked her to come back the next day. As per the instructions given by the godman she again visited. He then asked her to come on December 7.

Parvathi visited him again and as part of his ‘treatment’, he started beating her up in the head, hand, and other parts of the body with a stick after which Parvathi collapsed.

The victim was immediately taken to the Channarayapatna government hospital where she succumbed to injuries.

Parvathi’s daughter Chaitra filed a police complaint with Shravanabelagola police. The accused is still absconding.