By TCO News Channel | Date: July 8, 2025
Purnia, Bihar — In a shocking incident that has sent ripples of horror across the nation, five members of a tribal family were brutally lynched and burnt alive by a mob in Bihar’s Purnia district on the night of July 6, 2025, allegedly over accusations of practicing witchcraft.
The victims—Babulal Oraon, his wife Sita Devi, son Manjit Oraon, and two female relatives Aranaia Devi and Kakto—were forcibly taken from their home in Titgaon (Tetgama) village under Baisi police station limits. The mob, consisting of nearly 150–200 villagers, tied them up, doused them in petrol, and set them ablaze. Their charred bodies were later dumped into a nearby water body.
The sole survivor of the attack, a 15-year-old boy, managed to escape and later recounted the horrifying events to the police. According to his statement, the mob had branded his mother a “witch” and targeted the entire family under the pretext of them causing mysterious illnesses and deaths in the area.
🔍 Investigation Underway
Following the incident, Bihar police launched a massive manhunt. A First Information Report (FIR) was registered against over 23 named individuals and several unidentified persons. So far, three people have been arrested, including one minor and the owner of the tractor allegedly used to transport the victims’ bodies.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe the incident and ensure swift justice. Police officials confirmed that more arrests are imminent and that they are gathering forensic evidence and video footage from the area.
💬 Public and Political Outrage
The gruesome nature of the killings has triggered nationwide outrage. Political leaders and human rights organizations have condemned the incident, calling it a tragic reflection of how superstition, ignorance, and mob violence continue to plague parts of rural India.
Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav criticized the Nitish Kumar-led government, alleging administrative failure and neglect of tribal rights. “How can such barbarism take place in a civilized society? Where is the protection for the poor and marginalized?” he asked in a press briefing.
Meanwhile, civil rights groups are demanding that the accused be tried under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and that the state immediately compensate and rehabilitate the lone survivor.
⚠️ A Deeper Problem
Despite growing modernization, witch-hunting remains a deadly superstition in several parts of India, particularly in tribal and rural communities. Activists point out that poor literacy, lack of healthcare, and deep-rooted patriarchal systems often lead to women and families being accused of witchcraft during times of crisis.
According to NCRB data, hundreds of such cases have been reported in the past decade, with Bihar and Jharkhand among the worst-affected states.
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🕯️ What’s Next?
The bodies of the victims have been sent for post-mortem.
Authorities are providing security to the surviving teenager and have promised rehabilitation.
Human rights commissions are expected to visit the area in the coming days.
As India reels from this gruesome act of mob justice, the Purnia tragedy is a stark reminder of the urgent need for community education, legal reform, and stronger policing in vulnerable regions.
For more updates on this developing story, stay tuned to TCO News Channel.