A man and his mother were taken into custody in Mancherial area on charges of killing a woman on suspicions of sorcery. The accused hacked the deceased to death with an ax when his mother fell ill, police said and thereafter fled the scene. Authorities warned of strong action against violence born of superstition.

Mancherial: A guy and his mother were detained on Wednesday on allegations of murdering a woman at Nelkiventapur hamlet in Dandepalli mandal on Tuesday nite. Police recovered an ax, mobile phone and a motorcycle from them.

Mancherial ACP R Prakash and Luxettipet Inspector Ramana Murthy briefing media persons in Luxettipet said Singathi Ramesh and Singathi Rambai of Nelki Venkatapur were picked up for their alleged involvement in the murder of Singathi Laxmi (45) of the same village over suspected sorcery.

During interrogation, Ramesh reportedly admitted to cutting Laxmi to death, fearing that she was practising sorcery after his mother fell ill. He confesses to chopping her with an ax as she sat outside her house with Rambai guarding him. After killing Laxmi, he said, the two of them fled the site.

Earlier, a case of murder was lodged against Ramesh on a complaint made by Laxmi’s husband. Two special teams have been organized to catch Ramesh and Rambai. The squads were able to arrest the two.

Prakash warned that strict action would be taken against those indulging in violence on the pretext of superstitious beliefs.

Meanwhile, DCP A Bhaskar appreciated the efforts of Prakash, Ramana Murthy, SIs Rajyavardhan, Uday Kiran, Suresh and staffers for nabbing the two.