VOI World/ Desk
A CCTV video showing two people leaving a burning traditional lamp in the middle of a street in Melbourne has sparked speculation and fears of a possible “black magic” ritual.
The incident reportedly took place on Saturday evening at a T-intersection on Knowsley Avenue in Tarneit, a suburb in Melbourne’s west. An Indian-origin resident, identified as Gurjeet, reportedly became concerned after reviewing CCTV footage of the unusual activity outside his home.
The footage shows a woman carrying what appears to be a lit traditional Hindu lamp towards the middle of the road. She places the lamp on the street while a man accompanying her waits nearby.
After leaving the lamp, the woman appears to shuffle backwards and make a hand gesture towards the road surface before the pair walk away, leaving the lamp burning.
Gurjeet reportedly feared that the activity could be linked to “black magic”, leading to the footage being shared with local media and widely discussed on social media.
However, there is no independent evidence to establish that the incident was connected to black magic. The identities and intentions of the two people seen in the CCTV footage also remain unclear.
Lamps and fire are used in several Hindu and South Asian religious and cultural practices, and the video alone does not establish what ritual, if any, was being performed or why the lamp was left on the road.
No authorities have reportedly confirmed any connection between the incident and alleged black magic.
