Sagar (Madhya Pradesh): A 12-year-old boy lost his life in Sagar district after being bitten by a snake, as his family chose to perform exorcism rituals instead of seeking immediate medical help.
The incident took place around midnight on Tuesday, when Nilesh and his mother, Saroj Rani, were asleep at home. A poisonous snake reportedly bit both of them while they were sleeping.
The boy named Nilesh Adivasi died in Churari village of Sagar district in Madhya Pradesh.
Instead of rushing them to a hospital, the family believed it to be a case of evil spirits and spent several hours performing superstition-based rituals and exorcism practices. While the mother somehow survived, the delay in proper treatment cost Nilesh his life.
As Nilesh’s condition began to get worst his mother alerted the family. But instead of rushing them to the hospital, the family took their steps towards exorcism practices thinking that it would cure the snakebite.
According to police station in-charge, nearly 12 hours were lost in these superstition rituals. Only when Nilesh’s condition became critical he was taken to the nearby health center. As the time was passed, doctors declared him dead. Victim’s mother was found safe.
This tragedy has opened the eyes of the public’s belief in black magic especially during the monsoon season when snakebite cases are at rising level.
Despite the administration’s efforts to raise awareness and emphasise the importance of anti-venom treatment, many villagers still rely on superstitions. Police have registered a case and begun an investigation into the matter.
