In the Nawada district of Bihar, a mob beat 70-year-old Gaya Manjhi to death on suspicion of being a witch. His wife was seriously injured, her head was shaved, lime was applied, and she was garlanded with shoes and slippers.
Nawada: A tragic incident occurred on Tuesday (August 26, 2025) night in the Hisua police station area of Nawada district, Bihar. Here, in the Panchu Garh Musahari neighborhood, a mob beat 70-year-old Gaya Manjhi to death and seriously injured his wife. The reason for the incident is said to be that the residents of the neighborhood suspected the wife of being a witch.
The incident was so horrific that the woman's head was shaved, lime was applied, and she and her husband were paraded around the neighborhood wearing garlands of shoes and slippers. It is reported that the mob was also trying to burn them alive at the cremation ground.
Body sent to Nawada for post-mortem
According to local sources, a large number of people were present in the neighborhood at the time of the incident. The incident was reported to Dial-112 on Tuesday night itself, but seeing the crowd, the police could not take immediate action and left from there.
On Wednesday morning, Hisua police station police reached the spot. The police sent Gaya Manjhi's body to Nawada for post-mortem and admitted the injured wife to the Hisua Community Hospital. According to hospital sources, the woman's condition remains critical.
Woman suspected of being a witch and attempted to be burned alive
SI Roopa Kumari of Hisua police station said that the residents of the neighborhood, suspecting the woman of being a witch, severely beat her and her husband. Both were stripped naked, humiliated, and even attempted to be burned alive.
Police said that this case is a clear example of superstition and mob violence. The police are investigating and statements are being recorded from people around the scene. No arrests have been made so far, but the police are trying to reach the accused.
Body and injured woman found near the cremation ground
During the incident, the body and the injured woman were recovered near the cremation ground. People around were shaken to see the deceased and the injured woman. This incident has created a sense of fear and insecurity not only for the family but also in the entire area.
The police have increased security in the area and assured that the culprits will be arrested soon. The administration said that strict laws will be enforced against mob violence and superstition.
