Last Updated:January 09, 2026, 13:41 IST

A 35-year-old woman was beaten to death in Bihar’s Nawada district after being accused of witchcraft, with two other women from her family seriously injured.

A representative photo of Bihar Police (PTI)

A woman was beaten to death in Bihar’s Nawada district after being branded a witch, NDTV reported. The victim, identified as 35-year-old Kiran Devi, was allegedly attacked by members of a neighbouring family who blamed her for a child’s illness and accused her of practising witchcraft.

Two other women from her family were also seriously injured in the assault.

According to the report, the incident took place in the Rajauli area of Nawada district, where tensions had reportedly been simmering between two related families.

Family members of the victim said the violence was triggered after a child from the neighbouring household fell ill.

Despite the child having been taken to a doctor, suspicion and rumours soon began circulating in the locality, with Kiran Devi being labelled a witch.

Relatives alleged that Mukesh Chaudhary, Mahendra Chaudhary, Natru Chaudhary and Shobha Devi, all members of the neighbouring family, launched a violent attack on Kiran Devi using bricks, stones and iron rods.

During the assault, her younger co-sister-in-law, Lalita Devi, and another elder co-sister-in-law were also beaten and sustained serious injuries.

All three injured women were initially taken to a sub-divisional hospital, where doctors administered first aid.

However, due to the severity of their injuries and significant blood loss, they were referred to the district hospital for further treatment.

Kiran Devi, the report mentioned, died while being taken to the district hospital.

The deceased woman is survived by two sons and two daughters.

Kiran Devi’s sister-in-law, Rekha Devi, was quoted as saying that the child of Mukesh Chaudhary had fallen ill and was taken for medical treatment.

Doctors reportedly diagnosed the child with a brain-related condition.

Despite the medical explanation, neighbours allegedly continued to accuse Kiran Devi of being responsible for the illness through “evil practices”.

Rekha Devi said the repeated accusations eventually escalated into the deadly attack, fuelled by blind belief and anger.

Police have confirmed that a dispute between two related families was already underway before the violence erupted.

Rajauli station house officer Ranjit Kumar was quoted as saying that several people from both sides were injured in the clash.

“Three persons have been taken into custody for questioning,” he said.

The officer added that a forensic team was dispatched to the spot to collect evidence.

The body of the deceased will be handed over to the family after the post-mortem examination, police said.

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