Couldn’t believe it: Late night phone call shatters Bihar man’s life after 5 family members burnt alive over witchcraft claims
ET OnlineLast Updated: Jul 08, 2025, 11:14:00 AM IST
Synopsis
In Purnia district, Bihar, a family of five was allegedly burned alive by villagers accusing them of practicing black magic. The victims, identified as members of the Oraon community, included the father, mother, brother, sister-in-law, and grandmother. Police have arrested three individuals as investigations continue into the horrific incident, which has sparked outrage and political condemnation.
In yet another horrifying incident of supersition, five members of a family from Bihar’s Purnia district were allegedly burnt alive by villagers accusing them of practicing black magic.
The victims included the father, mother, brother, sister-in-law, and grandmother, and have been identified as Babulal Oraon, Sita Devi, Manjit Oraon, Aranaia Devi, and Kakto.
Lalit Kumar, a relative of the victims, told ANI that he was shocked to learn about the brutal act through a late-night call from his brother, who informed him that their family members were being set on fire.
“I couldn’t believe it was true when I came in the morning,” he said.
Lalit has filed a complaint at the local police station following the tragedy. The police have confirmed that they recovered the charred bodies early Monday morning from a village under Mufassil Police Station.
According to Pankaj Kumar Sharma, SDPO Sadar Purnia, 16-year-old Sonu Kumar alerted authorities that the attack was motivated by accusations of black magic and witchcraft against members of the Oraon community.
“Three people have been arrested, but the investigation continues as the entire village is reportedly involved,” Sharma told the news agency.
Political leaders condemn incident
The gruesome incident has sparked outrage and drawn criticism of Bihar’s government, just months ahead of the sate’s assembly elections are due.
Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, slammed the state administration for failing to maintain law and order.
He blamed the rise in such atrocities on the “DK tax” — a term referring to the alleged influence of criminal elements in the state. Yadav stated on social media platform ‘X’ that “anarchy is at its peak in Bihar,” citing a series of violent incidents including massacres in Siwan, Buxar, and Bhojpur in recent days.
Yadav accused Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of being “unconscious” to the deteriorating situation while criminals “have become alert.”
He further slammed the police force as “defeated” and accused the ruling party of corruption and negligence.
