Kandhamal Couple Dies After Consuming Traditional Medicine from Sorcerer

A couple in Odisha’s Kandhamal district has allegedly died after consuming traditional medicine obtained from a local sorcerer in the hope of having children. The incident has once again raised concerns over the risks associated with superstition and unverified treatments.

The deceased have been identified as Lalita Kanhara and Kahnu Kanhara, residents of Nedipanga village under Gochhapada police limits in Kandhamal district. Their deaths have left the village in mourning.

According to information available, the couple had been married for several years but had no children. Worried about their inability to conceive, they reportedly contacted a sorcerer from the Baliguda area instead of seeking medical treatment. The couple subsequently obtained traditional medicine from the sorcerer and consumed it in the hope of having a child.

On August 22, the couple reportedly consumed the medicine at night and went to sleep. The following morning, family members found both of them in a critical condition and rushed them to the District Headquarters Hospital in Phulbani.

Their condition reportedly deteriorated despite treatment. Lalita died while undergoing treatment at the Phulbani hospital. Kahnu was later shifted to the MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur, where he also died.

The deaths have triggered concern in the Kandhamal region. The incident has also brought renewed attention to the continued reliance on unverified traditional remedies and superstition in some areas.

Kandhamal is a tribal-dominated district, and the incident has highlighted the need for greater awareness about the dangers of consuming unidentified medicines without medical supervision. Modern medical treatment and proper diagnosis are essential, particularly in cases involving infertility and other health concerns.

The exact cause of the couple’s deaths and the nature of the substance they consumed will be crucial to the investigation. Authorities are expected to establish whether the traditional medicine was responsible for the fatal consequences.