Five Family Members Lynched in Bihar Over Witchcraft Suspicions
Date: July 8, 2025
Location: Tetaga village, Purnia district, Bihar
Horrific Mob Violence Over Superstition
On July 6, 2025, a brutal mob lynching occurred in Tetaga village, Purnia, where five members of a family were beaten and burned alive over allegations of witchcraft. The victims—Babulal Oraon, Sita Devi, Manjeet Oraon, Rania Devi, and Tapto Mosmat—were blamed after a villager's child died during a healing ritual and another fell ill.
Details of the Incident
Late at night on July 6, over 100 villagers armed with sticks and rods attacked the family's house. After beating the victims, they set them on fire. Their charred bodies were later found stuffed in sacks near a pond, 5 kilometers from the village.
A 16-year-old survivor, Sonu Kumar, escaped and later testified to police, identifying several attackers.
Police Investigation and Arrests
By July 8, three suspects, including a minor, were arrested. Senior officials like SP Switi Sahrawat, ASP Alok Kumar, and DIG Pramod Kumar Mandal are leading the investigation. Forensics teams and canine units have been deployed, and police are patrolling the area to prevent further violence.
Preliminary findings suggest the attackers may include relatives of the victims, pointing to community feuds and deeply rooted superstitions.
Political and Public Reaction
Tejashwi Yadav (RJD) criticized the Bihar government, calling this incident part of a worsening trend of mob justice. He mentioned similar cases in Siwan, Buxar, and Bhojpur districts. Mallikarjun Kharge (Congress) blamed the NDA government, citing failures to protect citizens and linking the killings to recent violence against businesspersons and police.
Regional Context and Recurring Pattern
Witchcraft-related violence is unfortunately not uncommon in Bihar and nearby states like Jharkhand. Women and marginalized groups are often the primary targets. In February 2025, a former ward member in Gaya was killed by relatives accusing her of witchcraft. Despite the Prevention of Witch-Hunting Act, enforcement remains weak.
Urgent Call for Reform
Human rights organizations are demanding strict implementation of anti-witch-hunting laws and public education to fight superstition. The Purnia incident underlines the need for societal and legal reforms to prevent such atrocities in the future.
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