‘Healer’ nabbed in Patna for murder

BENGALURU: A quack was arrested from Patna in Bihar on charges of murdering a 55-year-old woman at his house in Kattigenahalli village near Yelahanka.
The suspect is Saleem, who has been in Bengaluru for over 25 years and claims to have healing powers. He fled the city recently after allegedly killing Siddamma, one of his ‘patients’, a police officer said.
According to police, the murder occurred between 8.30am and 4.45pm last Thursday and came to light when a woman, whose relationship with Saleem is yet to be established, arrived at his house.Police suspect Saleem trangled Siddamma to death and fled with her gold chain, pair of earrings, as well as mobile phone.
Preliminary investigation revealed that Saleem used to practise naati vaidya (traditional herbal healing) at his residence. “He and Siddamma became close and the accused borrowed some cash from her as loan. She might have gone to his residence to ask for her money,” another police officer said.