SOME thirty years ago the present writer, then a Junior Magistrate in the Dharwar District of the Bombay Presidency, was called upon to investigate a case against a Muhammadan, Jemal Din, and two Hindus, Mudewala and Adevi, who were charged with causing the death of a girl, Giddawa, in the following circumstances:
The deceased left her husband on Christmas Day to visit her parents, and while with them she complained to her father of a pain in her back. At her suggestion, Jemal Din, an exorcist of repute locally, was called upon to treat the ailment. Jemal Din, having summoned the assistance of another exorcist, Mudewala, caused the deceased to lie flat on the ground, and commenced to tread and jump on her body, calling on the evil spirit Uzzi to come forth and leave the patient. These comparatively mild measures failing to take effect, Jemal Din seized a stick hanging in his house, and administered a vigorous blow on the back to the girl Giddawa. Smarting under the injury, she fled from the house, hotly pursued by Jemal Din and Mudewala, who both professed to be possessed by powerful spirits. The unfortunate girl, fearful of further blows, cried out, Uzzi, Uzzi', and 'I am going now', suggesting to her pursuers that the disease spirit possessing her was named Uzzi and was departing under pressure of the beating which they administered.
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