NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported killing and burning of 5 members of a family on suspicion of practicing witchcraft in Purnia district of Bihar

The National human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that five members of a family, belonging to Scheduled Tribe, including three women, were allegedly hacked to death and their bodies were burnt on suspicion of practicing witchcraft in Purnia district of Bihar in the night on 6th July, 2025.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report which, if true, raise serious issues of violation of human rights. Therefore, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Bihar calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks, including present status of the investigation of the case and arrest of the perpetrators.

The Commission has also directed the State Government to provide counseling and take steps to ensure safety of the 16-year-old boy, who is, reportedly, the sole survivor of the victim family and an eyewitness to the painful incident.

According to the media report, carried on 8th July, 2025, the 16-year-old sole surviving boy of the family, has informed the police that a mob of around 50 people stormed into their house, accusing his mother of practicing witchcraft. The mob first assaulted his mother with bamboo sticks, calling her a witch. Then they attacked the rest of his family, who came to rescue her, and hacked all of them to death in front of him. Later, the assailants allegedly carried the bodies of the victims around 100-150 meters away from their house and set them ablaze. Reportedly, the villagers suspected the death and illness of a boy in the village was caused by the victim family, by practicing witchcraft.

Source