Elderly Woman Killed Over Witchcraft Allegation in Bihar’s Gaya

An elderly woman was allegedly beaten to death by villagers over accusations of practising witchcraft in Bihar’s Gaya district, police said on Tuesday.

The incident took place on Monday night in North Lodhwe panchayat under the Fatehpur police station limits . The victim, identified as 65-year-old Bulki Devi, was reportedly attacked outside her home after some villagers accused her of using witchcraft on a relative who had fallen ill.

According to police, members of a family allegedly assaulted the woman with sticks and other objects, leading to her death on the spot. An FIR has been registered against 11 accused persons based on a complaint filed by the victim’s family.

Fatehpur SHO Manoj Kumar said one accused, identified as Prakash Kumar, has been arrested, while efforts are underway to apprehend the remaining suspects. The body has been sent to Magadh Medical College in Gaya for post-mortem examination.

Locals said the woman was sitting outside her residence when a group of villagers arrived and allegedly began attacking her after branding her a “witch”.

The incident has once again highlighted the persistence of superstition and witch-hunting practices in parts of rural India despite growing awareness and legal action against such crimes.

According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data , dozens of murders linked to witchcraft allegations are reported across India every year, with states such as Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Assam witnessing recurring incidents. Social activists have often pointed to illiteracy, fear, social prejudice and personal disputes as major reasons behind such attacks.

Police said further investigation into the case is in progress.