Gory history to eclipses worrisome

Hyderabad: Friday’s lunar eclipse brings back memories of the sacrifice of a two-month-old child to ward off bad luck in the previous eclipse that occurred on January 31. 

Police appealed to citizens to report to them if they learnt of anyone having similar plans ahead of Friday’s eclipse.

The severed head of the baby found atop a house in Uppal on February 1, the day after the previous eclipse.

Sixteen days of investigation revealed that the house owner, K. Rajashekhar, 40, and his wife K. Srilatha, 30, had abducted and killed an infant and offered it as a human sacrifice. 

Rajashekhar, a cab driver, believed the presence of evil spirits in their house of Chilukanagar was the reason behind his wife’s failing health.

He met a ‘Koya Dora’  who reportedly suggested to Rajashekhar that ‘human sacrifice’ was the only solution to secure his wife’s health. 

The couple succumbed to superstitious and carried out the barbaric act.  

Several other superstitions haunt the lunar eclipse. 

An old saying is that pregnant women shouldn't see the eclipse and should avoid certain sleeping positions. 

Another belief is that no one should eat anything during the eclipse. In many households, food is thrown off to avoid ‘contamination.

Experts call these beliefs unscientific and said the eclipse has no effect on humans. 

City police has passed a word of caution against supersitious beliefs and appealed to the citizens to report any crime related to the full moon or the eclipse. 

One can Dial 100 or approach the regional police station or contact the city police through various social media platforms.