RAHIM YAR KHAN: An influential landlord made four villagers, including a woman, to walk on boiled oil as punishment on theft allegation in Chak 153-P, some 34kms from here, on Thursday.

Reports said some jewellery and money were stolen from the house of landlord Mohsin a few days back. The landlord suspected that four villagers Sadia (14), Kashif (24), Shehzad (21) and Asim (19) were involved in the theft.

On the advice of fake faith healer Shaukat, the landlord summoned the four at his house and forced them to prove their innocence by walking on boiled oil.

The landlord told the four villagers that the boiled oil would not burn the feet of those who were not involved in theft.

As it was not enough, the landlord told the scared villagers that those whose feet were found burnt would have to return the stolen jewellery and cash.

Since feet of all the four villagers were burnt, the landlord called their elders and demanded the stolen jewellery and cash.

Their elders informed the police who raided Mohsin’s house, but he managed to escape along with the faith healer and accomplices.

Sadiqabad police have registered a case against Mohsin, Shaukat, Mukaram, Muddasar, Atif and Riaz under sections 324, 148 and 149.

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2016