As many as six people were forced to dip their fingers in boiling oil to prove their innocence amidst a sudden feud between two families in Rapar taluka of Kutch district, Gujarat on August 10, 2021. The severe act of aggression was based on the long-debunked superstitious belief that an innocent can never be burnt by hot oil. The victims were treated at a government hospital near Gedi village. 

According to the Times of India, the conflict began when the daughter-in-law of the Dhela family, Heera Koli, went to her parent’s house in Bhaktavadi Vandh village but never returned. The woman allegedly eloped with another person months ago. This sparked tension between the two families. When she disappeared, husband Tano Dhela and his family called the Koli family to a nearby temple, allegedly to settle the matter.

Instead, Inspector P. N. Jinjuvadiya said the accused told the family members to dip their fingers in the boiling liquid to prove they played no role in the woman’s disappearance. The police arrested seven members of the Dhela family for torture.

Reports said that the Koli family feared thrashing by villagers if they did not follow through with the archaic trial. The arrested people include Sonda Dhela, Limba Dhela, Ranimal Dhela, Tano Dhela, Bhikha Puna and Kana Ratna.

The incident was widely condemned by the Kutch region, reported local news channel TV9 Gujarati.

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