5 of family killed, burnt in Bihar over ‘witchcraft’ suspicion
Saran, Bihar – July 8, 2025:
In a horrifying act of mob violence, five members of a family were killed and burnt in Bihar’s Saran district on Monday night. The attackers suspected the family of practicing witchcraft, which led to the brutal assault.
The incident happened in Baniyapur block, where a crowd stormed into the family’s home. They beat the victims and then set them on fire. Locals later told the police that the attackers believed the elderly woman in the house was responsible for recent village deaths.
The Victims: An Entire Family Destroyed
The victims were 60-year-old Kamla Devi, her son Rameshwar Singh (38), daughter-in-law Poonam Singh (35), and grandchildren Shivani (12) and Rahul (8). For two years, some villagers accused Kamla Devi of being a witch. They blamed her for illnesses and deaths in the area.
Despite repeated threats and warnings, the family continued to live in fear. On the night of the attack, over 20 villagers dragged them from their home. They beat them and then set the house on fire, burning them alive.
Witchcraft Accusations: A Deadly Belief
While India moves forward in many areas, superstition remains strong in rural regions. In several states, including Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha, people still believe in black magic and witchcraft. Women—especially elderly or widowed—often become targets.
In this case, two children in the village died recently from fever. Locals blamed Kamla Devi without any medical proof. Instead of seeking treatment or calling authorities, the mob decided to take revenge.
Police Action and Arrests
The police arrived at the scene soon after the fire. Superintendent Gaurav Singh led the investigation. Officers arrested 12 people and began searching for others who fled.
Superintendent Singh said,
“We are treating this as a case of murder and social violence. Strict legal action will follow.”
The police registered an FIR under murder and arson charges. Forensic teams examined the scene. Authorities also recovered the bodies and sent them for postmortem.
Silence in the Village
After the attack, fear spread across the village. Some villagers went into hiding. Others refused to speak. A local teacher, who asked not to be named, said:
“We heard rumors about Kamla Devi. But I never thought people would kill the whole family like this.”
Social workers who visited the village said the attack reflects a deep failure in public awareness. Locals still believe that black magic causes disease, death, and loss of livestock.
Officials and Rights Groups React
The Bihar government promised ₹5 lakh as compensation for the victims’ surviving relatives. Officials also said the accused would face fast-track trials. Rights groups, however, demand more.
Rekha Sharma, Chairperson of the National Commission for Women, posted on social media:
“This is not just murder. It shows how superstition kills. Education is our only hope.”
The National Human Rights Commission also took notice. It asked for a report from the Bihar Chief Secretary and the state’s top police official.
This Is Not an Isolated Case
Sadly, this attack is not rare. According to official records, India saw over 150 killings linked to witchcraft accusations last year. Most of the victims were women. Many were elderly or poor.
States like Jharkhand and Odisha have laws against witch-hunting. But these laws are rarely enforced. Bihar still lacks a strong law to punish those who carry out such acts.
Social activists argue that the government must run awareness drives at the village level. Schools, panchayats, and health workers should teach people to reject superstitions.
A Call for Education, Not Violence
This brutal killing of five innocent people shows how deadly ignorance can be. It also raises urgent questions. Why do such beliefs still exist? And why do entire communities stay silent when mobs take lives?
Unless the government takes serious steps to educate rural communities, such crimes will continue to happen. Arrests and compensation are not enough. Change must begin with knowledge and awareness.
