Jharkhand man killed in suspected witchcraft-related violence

A 61-year-old man was killed in a village in Jharkhand state following accusations that he was responsible for another resident's illness through witchcraft, police said. The victim was attacked with sharp weapons in what authorities are treating as a case of mob violence rooted in superstition.

The incident arose after a 30-year-old local man, Vivek Kumar, fell ill approximately 10 days prior and sought medical treatment. Rather than attributing the illness to natural causes, some villagers suspected supernatural intervention and accused the elderly man of witchcraft.

The killing highlights persistent issues with superstition-driven violence in rural areas of eastern India. Jharkhand has witnessed recurring incidents of vigilante attacks based on unsubstantiated witchcraft accusations, often targeting marginalized individuals. Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death and are working to identify those responsible for the attack.

Police have registered a case in connection with the incident and are gathering statements from village residents. The investigation is ongoing.