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Mother and infant burnt to death in Indian state over witchcraft allegations

Mother and infant burnt to death in Indian state over witchcraft allegations

Eyewitnesses say a mob stormed the woman's home after rumours spread that she was practising witchcraft.

February 20, 2026 at 10:10 AM Original source
8 agencies covered this story

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Notable Quotes

"I pleaded with folded hands to have the matter resolved in the village council but the attackers didn't listen to me."

— Kolhan Sinku , Other

"When the couple came out, the crowd hurled abuses at them while accusing Jyoti of practicing witchcraft."

— Kolhan Sinku , Other

"I tried to assuage them and suggested discussing and deciding it in the panchayat the next morning. But they poured petrol on both of us and set us on fire."

— Kolhan Sinku , Other

"Justice Prasad directed the JHALSA secretary and the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Chaibasa, to provide necessary legal and financial assistance to the survivors and their family members."

— Sujit Narayan Prasad , Executive

All Coverage

BBC Newsvia rss 1 quote 1 person

Eyewitnesses say a mob stormed the woman's home after rumours spread that she was practising witchcraft.

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The Times of Indiavia ai 1 quote 1 person

A 31-year-old woman and her one-year-old son were allegedly burned to death by a group in Kalaiya village, West Singhbhum, on suspicion of practicing witchcraft. The woman's husband sustained burn injuries and four assailants have been arrested.

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Hindustan Timesvia ai 1 quote 1 person

Four individuals were arrested for burning alive a 32-year-old woman and her two-month-old baby in Kalaiya village, Jharkhand, after branding her as a 'witch'. The woman's husband is hospitalized with severe burn injuries.

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NDTVvia ai

A 32-year-old woman and her baby were allegedly set on fire in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district after she was branded a witch. The woman's husband was also injured in the attack but managed to escape and report the incident to the police.

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India Todayvia ai

A 32-year-old woman and her two-month-old infant were burned to death by villagers in Jharkhand's Chaibasa on suspicion of being a witch. Her husband, who was also attacked, survived and is currently hospitalized.

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New Indian Expressvia ai

A 32-year-old woman and her two-month-old child were burnt to death by family members in Kalaiya village, Jharkhand, on suspicion of practicing witchcraft. The woman's husband suffered severe burn injuries but survived.

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The Tribunevia ai

A 32-year-old woman and her baby were allegedly set on fire in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district after she was branded a witch. The woman's husband was also injured but managed to escape and report the incident to the police.

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The Times of Indiavia ai 1 quote 1 person

Jharkhand Legal Services Authority executive chairman and Jharkhand High Court Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad took cognizance of a news report on Thursday, about the burning of a woman and her minor son on suspicion of practising witchcraft in Chaibasa district. The victim was assaulted along with her two-month-old baby boy and then set ablaze, resulting in their deaths. The woman and her son died due to severe burn injuries, while her husband was admitted to the Sadar Hospital in Chaibasa.

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