6 suspects in occult practice rescued from locked house

ARANI: Fire and rescue services personnel aided by police used earth moving equipment to break open a door and force out 6 persons, including two women, who were involved in conducting magic rites to get rid of evil spirits near Arani on Friday evening.

Police said that a weaver Davamani (55) of Dasarapettai near SV Nagaram adjacent to Arani town with wife Kamakshi, sons Boopalan and Balaji, daughter Gomathi, her husband and Tambaram AR constable Prakash locked themselves in their house two days ago and started conducting magic rites reportedly to drive out an evil spirit from Kamakshi.

Doubting something suspicious, locals informed local police, revenue and fire service officials who rushed to the spot but couldn’t get access into the house.

After a 5-hour stalemate police and fire department personnel brought a JCB to break open the door.

Police are investigating the case.