Shocking Witchcraft Accusation Leads to Mass Murder in Bihar’s Purnia District

In a chilling incident that has shaken the conscience of the nation, five members of the same family were brutally killed and their bodies burned in Tetagama village, Purnia district, Bihar. The murders, fueled by accusations of witchcraft and black magic, have left the community in shock and horror.

Background of the Tragedy

The story begins two years ago in Tetagama village, predominantly inhabited by the tribal Oraon community. Babulal Oraon, a 65-year-old farmer and part-time faith healer, lived with his wife Sita Devi, mother Kakto Devi, daughter-in-law Rania Devi, and three sons—Manjeet, Sonu, and Lalit.

Nearby, in Dargah village, another faith healer named Nakul Oraon practiced similar rituals. Two years ago, a series of six sudden deaths due to illness in Dargah village sparked suspicion and fear among the villagers. Many believed these deaths were not natural but caused by witchcraft.

Rising Suspicion and Social Isolation

Rumors began to spread, targeting Babulal Oraon’s family, especially the women. Villagers were warned to avoid contact with them, believing Babulal’s mother Kakto Devi and his wife Sita Devi were witches (“dayan”) responsible for the tragedies. The family was ostracized, and suspicion continued to grow over the years.

The Incident

On July 2, 2025, tragedy struck again when Ramdev Oraon’s son from the village fell seriously ill and died within days. Shortly after, his younger son also became ill, intensifying the villagers’ fears. Women from the community accused Sita Devi of witchcraft, claiming she was seeking a human sacrifice.

Nakul Oraon, the influential faith healer from Dargah village, asserted that Sita Devi and Kakto Devi had bewitched Ramdev’s sons and would not stop until they claimed another victim. The villagers, gripped by fear and superstition, believed Nakul’s words.

Mob Justice and Murder

On the night of July 6, 2025, coinciding with the festival of Muharram, a village council (panchayat) was convened, led by Nakul Oraon. Babulal’s family was summoned but did not attend. Enraged, a mob of about 50 villagers marched to Babulal’s house around 10 p.m. Amid a power outage and total darkness, the mob dragged the family members out, beat them, and held them hostage. They were then taken to a secluded spot and set on fire.

Miraculously, Sonu, Babulal’s youngest son, managed to escape and fled to his grandmother’s house. The mob disposed of the bodies to hide evidence of the crime.

Investigation and Aftermath

The next morning, Sonu reported the crime to the police. When officers arrived at the village, they found it deserted—most men had fled, leaving only women and children behind. Sonu led the police to the site of the murders, but no bodies were found initially.

After an 11-hour search and with the help of sniffer dogs, police finally recovered the five charred bodies from a nearby pond around 6:30 p.m. The gruesome discovery left even the police shaken.

Authorities have since arrested three suspects, including Nakul Oraon, who admitted to organizing the village council before the murders. The incident has drawn condemnation from prominent Bihar politicians, including Tejashwi Yadav and Pappu Yadav, who have called for justice.

A Call for Awareness

This harrowing case is a stark reminder of the dangers of superstition and mob mentality. The story is not intended to hurt anyone’s feelings, but to raise awareness and encourage vigilance to protect oneself and loved ones from such atrocities.