Jamshedpur, India — A 60-year-old woman was brutally killed by relatives who accused her of witchcraft in Jharkhand, stirring outrage and highlighting ongoing issues related to superstition and violence in the region. The incident occurred on August 4 as Bhavi Singh was walking to collect her pension at a local service center, when she was attacked from behind.
According to police, the accused followed Singh before one of them used a sharp weapon, locally known as a gowli, to slit her throat. After the attack, the body was abandoned in a nearby forest. Authorities have arrested three women in connection with the murder and have charged them under the Prevention of Witch Practices Act.
The victim’s relatives have expressed their belief that the murder, which was the culmination of five years of harassment, was motivated by long-standing grievances against Singh. One of her daughters-in-law revealed that the accused had previously entered their home and physically assaulted Singh, relentlessly blaming her for various misfortunes in the village.
The local police confirmed that the incident was not solely driven by witchcraft accusations, but also stemmed from personal disputes within the family. Manoranjan Kumar, a police officer, noted that there had been ongoing arguments among the extended family that contributed to the tragic event.
Despite these claims, the victim’s family insists that the attack was predominantly rooted in witch-branding allegations. Gopinath Singh, Bhavi’s nephew, stated that the entire community turned against them, escalating the family feud. “The whole village stands against us,” he lamented.
Both the accused and the victim belonged to the Bhumij Adivasi community, and police reports indicate that the family dynamics were further complicated after the death of Bhavi’s husband, about six years ago. Sudhir Singh, the victim’s son, conveyed that prior threats had been made against his mother, who had been wrongfully labeled a witch for illnesses and accidents affecting village residents.
“Whenever something went wrong, they pointed fingers at her,” Sudhir said. He expressed frustration that even when the community was made aware of the threats, little was done to protect his mother. His wife had also faced similar allegations, and the village’s indifference only compounded their plight.
As investigations continue, this case underscores the dangerous consequences of superstition in rural India, where beliefs linked to witchcraft can incite violence and lead to tragic outcomes. The family hopes that bringing attention to their ordeal will encourage dialogue on the issue and ultimately help prevent such violence in the future.