A 33-year-old woman in Uttar Pradesh's Barabanki died after allegedly being kept tied to a pillar for 10 days while a self-styled godman performed 'exorcism' rituals.

Key Takeaways

  • A 33-year-old woman, Ruby Yadav, died in Barabanki, UP.
  • She was allegedly tied to a pillar for 10 days for 'faith healing'.
  • The woman's husband, a self-styled godman, and an associate have been arrested.

In a chilling incident from Barabanki district, Uttar Pradesh, a 33-year-old woman allegedly lost her life following inhumane treatment during a purported 'faith-healing' ritual. The victim, identified as Ruby Yadav, was reportedly kept tied to a pillar for approximately 10 days to treat her alleged mental illness through exorcism and other rituals.

According to the police investigation, the victim was brought to the Community Health Centre in Deva on Monday evening in a deteriorating condition, where doctors declared her dead. The victim's father, Pramod Yadav, filed a formal complaint alleging that his son-in-law, Ankit Yadav, conspired with a self-styled godman named Munna (71) and his associate Kadir Ahmad (55) to subject Ruby to these brutal rituals.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that such incidents highlight the fatal intersection of mental health neglect and deep-rooted superstition in rural sectors. When medical emergencies are treated as spiritual crises, the result is often preventable tragedy. This case serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for mental health literacy and stricter enforcement of laws against fraudulent healers.

The reliance on occult practices over clinical psychiatry remains one of the most significant hurdles in rural healthcare safety.

The Station House Officer of Deva, Alok Mani Tripathi, confirmed that the police have arrested all three accused. They have been remanded to judicial custody following their appearance in court. The police are currently awaiting the post-mortem report to conclusively determine the exact cause of death and proceed with further legal action.

Historical Background

Cases involving 'faith healing' and the abuse of mentally ill individuals have been reported periodically across India. Despite various mental health protection laws, the influence of unregulated spiritual healers continues to pose a significant risk to vulnerable populations in many regions.

Did You Know?: In India, the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, provides legal protections for persons with mental illness, prohibiting any form of cruel or inhuman treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Who has been arrested in the Barabanki case?
Answer: The police have arrested the victim's husband, Ankit Yadav, the self-styled godman Munna, and his associate Kadir Ahmad.

Question 2: What was the alleged reason for tying the woman to a pillar?
Answer: It was allegedly done as part of 'exorcism' and 'faith-healing' rituals to treat her mental illness.