In a horrific incident, five members of a family were burned alive on suspicion of practising witchcraft in Purnia district, Bihar. Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the murders, which reportedly occurred in Tetma village. The crime followed accusations of black magic after the recent death of a child in the village.
According to reports, villagers collectively transported all five bodies one kilometre from the crime scene and buried them using a JCB machine. A teenage boy from the family managed to escape and alerted police to the crime on Monday. Authorities later recovered the bodies with assistance from a dog squad.
The victims have been identified as 70-year-old Mausamat Kato Devi, 50-year-old Babulal Uraw, his 40-year-old wife Sita Devi, their 20-year-old son Manjit Kumar, and his 18-year-old wife Rani Devi.
The surviving teenager told police that tensions began when a village child fell seriously ill. Villagers allegedly blamed his grandmother, Kato Devi, accusing her of witchcraft. On Sunday night, a mob attacked the family and took them hostage. The teenager escaped unnoticed and fled to his maternal grandmother's home in Virpur, where he reported the crime the following morning.
Purnia Superintendent of Police Sweety Sahrawat confirmed that the bodies had been sent for post-mortem examination. Based on the survivor's statement, police have registered an FIR and arrested two individuals. "All accused will be apprehended shortly and face expedited legal proceedings," Sahrawat stated.
The incident has drawn political condemnation, with former Bihar minister and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav criticising the state government. Taking to X, Tejashwi Yadav wrote, "In Purnia, five family members were burned alive. Bihar's law and order has collapsed under the DK Tax regime – the DGP and Chief Secretary appear helpless. Recent days have seen massacres in Siwan (3 dead), Buxar (3 dead), and Bhojpur (3 dead). Criminals operate freely while the Chief Minister remains oblivious. The corrupt 'Bhooja Party' flourishes as police fail. DK enjoys impunity as the true power behind this anarchy."
