Post by : Rameen Ariff

A heart-wrenching Jharkhand murder case has emerged from Dumka district, where a 41-year-old man allegedly killed his 70-year-old mother, suspecting her of practicing witchcraft. The shocking crime occurred on October 28 in Bhadra Digha village under the Gopikander police station area.

The accused, identified as Ramjan Hembrom, reportedly attacked his mother, Muni Soren, with a knife after consuming alcohol. Severely injured, the elderly woman was rushed to Phulo Jhano Medical College and Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries on November 2.

Blamed His Mother for Daughter’s Death

According to the police investigation, Ramjan believed his mother had used black magic to cause the death of his 18-year-old daughter, who died a few months ago after a long illness. Villagers revealed that while she was unwell, the girl had repeatedly accused her grandmother of performing witchcraft, which fueled Ramjan’s suspicions and rage.

“During her illness, she often said her grandmother was responsible for her suffering. After her death, Ramjan became convinced that his mother’s witchcraft had killed his daughter,” a villager said.

Overcome with grief and alcohol, Ramjan reportedly went to his sister’s in-laws’ home, where his mother had been staying to escape his violent behavior, and launched a brutal knife attack on her.

Confession and Arrest

Gopikander Police Station Officer-in-Charge Sumit Bhagat confirmed that Ramjan confessed to the crime after his arrest. The police recovered the murder weapon and blood-stained clothes from his residence in Madhuban.

“Consumed by anger and intoxication, he attacked his mother, blaming her for his daughter’s death. The woman was taken to the hospital but died during treatment,” Bhagat said.

Police also revealed that Ramjan had earlier attempted to harm his mother, forcing her to live separately for safety. After her death, her daughter filed a formal complaint, leading to Ramjan’s immediate arrest. He has been remanded to judicial custody.

Witchcraft-Related Violence Still Rampant in Jharkhand

Authorities expressed concern over the persistence of witchcraft-related murders in Jharkhand’s remote and tribal regions. Despite legal measures, superstition and illiteracy continue to fuel such violence.

As per National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, more than 2,500 women have been killed across India on witchcraft accusations since 2000, with Jharkhand among the states reporting the highest number of cases.

Police to Launch Awareness Drive

In response to the tragedy, Dumka Police announced plans to launch awareness programs under the Jharkhand Witchcraft Prevention Act, 2001, in association with the District Legal Services Authority (DALSA). The campaign aims to educate rural communities about the legal consequences of witch-hunting and promote rational thinking.

“This tragic Jharkhand murder highlights how superstition continues to destroy families,” said Bhagat. “We are organizing awareness camps in forested and illiterate regions to prevent such crimes in the future.”

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