Jharkhand Woman Axed to Death Over Witchcraft Allegation; Accused Surrenders to Police

Gumla: A 40-year-old woman was allegedly hacked to death with an axe after being accused of practising witchcraft in Jharkhand's Gumla district on Thursday. The accused later surrendered at the local police station, officials said.

The victim, identified as Taramuni Devi, was washing utensils near a village school in Khatgaon under the Palkot police station limits when Shamil Dungdung, a resident of the same village, allegedly attacked her with an axe.

She suffered severe head and body injuries and died at the scene.

After the attack, the accused reportedly walked into the Palkot police station and surrendered. Police later reached the village, recovered the body and sent it for post-mortem examination.

The accused has been taken into custody, and an investigation is underway.

According to the victim's nephew, Ranjit Kerketta, the accused had allegedly attacked Taramuni Devi in a similar manner in 2025. Although she sustained serious injuries in that incident, she survived.

Family members alleged that despite police action after the earlier assault, the accused continued to threaten her, repeatedly accusing her of practising witchcraft before allegedly carrying out the fatal attack.

An FIR has been registered at Palkot police station based on a complaint filed by the victim's husband, Anmol Kerketta.

During the preliminary investigation, police found that the accused had reportedly been suffering from epilepsy for nearly three years. Investigators said he believed Taramuni Devi had used witchcraft to cause his illness, a suspicion that is believed to have motivated the attack.

Police are questioning the accused and investigating all aspects of the case.

Witch-hunting continues to be a serious social issue in parts of Jharkhand, with the state recording several cases of violence against women, particularly those from tribal communities, over allegations of practising witchcraft.

With inputs from IANS

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