A 65-year-old woman has been arrested in Karnataka’s Chikkaballapura after police said she sprinkled water and scattered white mustard seeds on a judge’s chair and the courtroom dais, believing the ritual would help her family win a pending civil case. The incident took place inside the courtroom of the First Additional Senior Civil Judge and Judicial Magistrate First Class.
#WATCH | Karnataka | Chikkaballapur City Police arrest a 65-year-old woman, identified as Manjula, for allegedly performing black magic on the chair of the 1st Additional Senior Civil Judge and JMFC Court in Chikkaballapur.
— ANI (@ANI) July 14, 2026
CCTV footage captured the woman allegedly sprinkling… pic.twitter.com/7urZKOb7wa
The woman, identified as Manjula, was arrested on 11th July after court officials reviewed CCTV footage and filed a complaint with the police. She was later presented before the jurisdictional court, which remanded her to 14 days of judicial custody.
Ritual linked to family’s pending civil dispute
During the investigation, police found that a civil case involving Manjula’s family is currently pending before the same court. According to investigators, she carried out the ritual in the hope that it would influence the outcome of the case in her family’s favour.
Police said Manjula’s brother, Venkatarama, is the third respondent in the civil suit. However, officials have not shared details about the nature of the dispute.
Court staff noticed white mustard seeds
The incident took place at around 9.40 am on 9th July when the courtroom was open. According to the complaint filed by the court administration, Manjula entered the courtroom, sprinkled water, and scattered white mustard seeds on the judge’s chair and the dais as part of a black magic ritual.
Court staff later noticed the white mustard seeds inside the courtroom, raising suspicion. Following this, court authorities reviewed the CCTV footage from the courtroom.
CCTV footage helped identify the woman
Police said the CCTV recordings showed Manjula entering the courtroom and carrying out the ritual. Based on the footage, Netra, the Chief Administrative Officer of the court, filed a complaint with the Chikkaballapura Town Police, seeking legal action.
After examining the evidence and conducting further investigation, police traced Manjula and arrested her.
Case registered under Black Magic Act
Police have registered a case against Manjula under the Karnataka Prevention and Eradication of Inhuman Evil Practices and Black Magic Act, 2017. Officials said the investigation is continuing to determine all aspects related to the incident.
The case has drawn attention because the ritual was performed inside a courtroom, with investigators saying the woman believed sprinkling water and white mustard seeds on the judge’s chair would help change the decision in her family’s favour.
