The News Minute | October 14, 2014 | 09.15 am ISTPolice confirmed the death of Athira, 18, a student at St. Thomas Ranni College Pathanamthitta, which occurred during a black magic session on 10th October in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district. The girl’s uncle Valsan, a district Congress committee office secretary, and his son-in-law Mithosh was arrested on Monday in connection with the death. The girl had burn marks caused by camphor on her hands and chest. This is considered to be done intentionally during the ritual, reported the Indian Express. Unintended murder, negligence to medical assistance etc are the registered charges against the accused. Athira’s father Prasannakumar informed that Athira suddenly felt tired and developed swelling on her face and legs, after which she was taken to the hospital. The family members are followers of Subhananda Ashram. But they denied that any ‘pujas’ or black magic was practiced. Deputy SP A Santhosh Kumar said that these rituals were performed on Athira for three days, during which she was fed only once a day. The woman was already weak and would faint occasionally, said the report. Athira’s family also included her mother Usha and siblings Archana and Kannan.More cases of exorcism killings have been taking place in Kerala recently. In July, a woman from Karunagapalli in Kollam district died due to black magic and in August a pregnant woman in Ponnai, Malappuram, who was epileptic met the same fate.