Hyderabad techie tied to chair, burnt alive over black magic suspicion

A 38-year-old software engineer was allegedly tied to a chair and burnt alive inside a locked room on suspicion of performing black magic. A case of murder has been registered in the matter.
A 38-year-old software engineer was allegedly tied to a chair and burnt alive by his in-laws inside a locked room on the premises of the Manjunatha temple on suspicion of having performed black magic on his brother-in-law, causing his death.
The incident happened on the outskirts of Balwanthapur village in the Jagtial district of Telangana.
The victim, identified as Pagilla Pavan Kumar – a Hyderabad-based software engineer, had visited his in-laws to check on the widow of his brother-in-law, who had recently passed away due to a heart attack.
However, his brother-in-law’s family held him responsible for the death and accused him of performing black magic on him, thereby causing his death.
According to the police, locals had informed about a person set ablaze inside a locked room and screaming for help.
“We rushed to the spot and broke open the door of the room. We found Kumar tied to a chair and completely burnt. He died instantaneously,” Mallyal sub-inspector of police Nagaraju told Hindustan Times.
Pavan’s wife Krishnaveni told police that her sister-in-law Sumalatha had sent her to get a bottle of water, but by the time she returned, her husband was locked up inside the room and was screaming after being allegedly set on fire.
Police informed that Sumalatha has confessed to the crime and surrendered.
Members of the accused family have been arrested and the police have registered a case of murder. Investigation in the case is underway.