A woman, accused of practising black magic, was allegedly forced to hold burning camphor pellets in her hand at a temple, by some persons who suspected her to be the cause of their ills, and wanted her to undertake this 'test' to prove her innocence.
The incident occurred at Kottamangalam, about 75 km from here, on Tuesday in the presence of some residents of the village, police said.
The 27-year old woman, with serious burn injuries was undergoing treatment at the Udumalpet Government Hospital.
A family of four, neighbours of the woman, regularly picked up quarrels with her, accusing her of practicing 'black magic' and causing all their problems.
They had forcibly taken her to a temple to make a pledge of innocence, a practice prevalent in some villages, police said.
Holding the woman, the four, three of them women, placed the camphor pellets on her right palm and lit them. The camphor burnt for more than 10 minutes before the woman managed to escape.
A search was on for the culprits, police said.