Bihar Mob Lynches Five Over Witchcraft Accusations

Tragedy Strikes Tribal Village as Superstition Fuels Brutal Killings

Three weeks after a horrific mob attack, survivors in Bihar’s Tetgama village are grappling with the brutal murder of five family members, allegedly burned alive on baseless accusations of witchcraft. The night of July 6th shattered the community, leaving behind a landscape of fear and displacement.

A Night of Terror

The violence erupted around 10 PM when a furious mob converged on the home of Babulal Oraon. By dawn, Babulal Oraon, his wife Sita Devi, their son Manjit Oraon, and daughter-in-law Rani Devi were dead, along with Babulal Oraon‘s 71-year-old mother, Kato Oraon. The sole survivor, Babulal Oraon‘s teenage son, managed to escape and witness the horrific event.

According to initial police reports, the main accused, Ramdev Oraon, blamed Kato Oraon and her family for his son’s recent death, fueled by a belief in witchcraft. The police stated that Ramdev Oraon brought his gravely ill nephew to the victims’ home, where an exorcist allegedly identified Kato Oraon and Sita Devi as witches.

Five members of a family, including an elderly woman, were allegedly burnt alive in Tetgama village, Bihar, over accusations of practising witchcraft. The mob also targeted the victims’ home, leading to widespread fear and displacement in the community. #India #Witchcraft #HumanRights

— WorldTodayNews (@WorldTodayNews_) July 25, 2025

Manisha Devi, a relative who witnessed the events, recounted the horrifying details: Kato was dragged out and given half-an-hour to heal the sick teenager. Sita Devi, who was away visiting her mother in a neighbouring village, was called and asked to return if she wanted to see her family alive.

When Babulal Oraon and Manjit Oraon attempted to intervene, the mob turned on them. Rani Devi was attacked as she tried to protect her husband. Upon her return with her younger son, Sita Devi and the survivor were also assaulted.

Investigation and Aftermath

The victims were reportedly tied up, dragged to a pond, beaten, and then doused with petrol and set alight. Their bodies were later transported away on a tractor. While initial reports suggested the victims were burned alive, District Magistrate Anshul Kumar stated that the post-mortem report was inconclusive on the precise cause of death.

The report indicates evidence of burn injuries and assault; however, it does not clearly articulate the precise cause of death, whether it was due to burning or whether that occurred post-murder. stated Anshul Kumar.

The violence occurred a mere 7 km from the Mufassil police station. Anshul Kumar acknowledged the 11-hour delay in the police response, admitting it was a failure on their part, attributing it to the widespread community involvement.

The officer-in-charge has been suspended, and four individuals, including the alleged exorcist, have been arrested. Charges include unlawful assembly, rioting, and mob lynching, with potential penalties ranging from life imprisonment to the death penalty. The primary accused, Ramdev Oraon, remains at large.

Root Causes and Community Impact

The survivor is reportedly in protective custody and receiving counseling, while his brothers, who were away during the attack, are being supported by authorities. Officials maintain this is the first such incident in the area, but local social worker Mira Devi points to a lack of education and reliance on traditional healers in tribal villages.

A recent report by the National Human Rights Commission of India highlighted that 159 people were victims of mob violence linked to witchcraft accusations between 2014 and 2021 (National Human Rights Commission of India, 2023).

Tetgama village, once home to 22 families, is now largely deserted, with residents fleeing in the wake of the tragedy. The once-peaceful village is now a somber reminder of the devastating consequences of superstition and mob violence.

The teenage survivor, witnessing the horrific scene, remains deeply traumatized. Relatives outside their abandoned homes speak of the lingering horror, stating, We stood helplessly, watching the victims desperately trying to save themselves. That scene still haunts us.