A shocking incident has come to light in the Chatra district of Jharkhand. A man was murdered by a group of individuals who suspected him of practicing witchcraft. The attackers first cut off his tongue with a sharp weapon. They then beat him to death with sticks and batons. Furthermore, after committing the heinous act, the perpetrators burned the victim’s body. The deceased has been identified as Dharmadev Uraon.
The incident occurred in Khuntitola village, within the Tundwa police station area of the district. News of the murder caused an uproar in the area. Upon receiving information about the incident, the police arrived at the village, but all the accused had already fled. The police are conducting raids to apprehend the suspects.
According to information received, a young man who lived next door to Dharmadev Uraon had died a few months prior. After the young man’s death, his family blamed Dharmadev, accusing him of practicing witchcraft against their son.
It is suspected that the attackers murdered Dharmadev Uraon in retaliation for the death of the young man. Initial investigations revealed that approximately half a dozen people were involved in the murder, and the police are conducting continuous raids to arrest them.
Similar incidents have occurred in Jharkhand before. Prior to the Chatra district incident, a woman named Maino Devi, approximately 50 years old, from the Gumla district of Jharkhand, was murdered in March 2025 on suspicion of being a witch. The police arrested the accused in that case.
The accused’s sister-in-law had died some years earlier from a snake bite. However, the family blamed Maino Devi, accusing her of witchcraft and holding her responsible for the death. Subsequently, Karam Pal Lakra brutally murdered Maino Devi out of revenge.