Mother and Infant Burned to Death After Witchcraft Allegations

A horrifying case out of eastern India has left a woman and her 10-month-old son dead after authorities say they were burned alive over accusations of witchcraft.

Police in the state of Jharkhand have arrested four people in connection with the killings, which happened earlier this week in a remote tribal village. Officials say more suspects may be involved and are still being sought.

The woman’s husband, who was also attacked during the incident, suffered severe burns and remains hospitalized.

According to police, the violence unfolded in Kudsai, a small hamlet about 150 miles from the state capital of Ranchi. The village is made up of roughly 50 mud homes and is located in a largely rural region where access to healthcare and public services is limited.

Authorities say rumors had been spreading in the community after a local man became ill and later died. Some villagers allegedly began blaming Jyoti Sinku, accusing her of practicing witchcraft and causing his illness.

The man’s wife reportedly sought help from an informal healer — a common practice in areas without reliable medical care. When her husband’s condition worsened and he died, suspicions intensified.

That same night, according to Jyoti’s husband, a mob of about a dozen people stormed their home. He says the group — which allegedly included both men and women — set his wife and infant son on fire.

From his hospital bed, he described begging the attackers to resolve the issue through the village council, but said they refused to listen.

Police have registered murder and criminal conspiracy charges based on statements from the husband and another family member. A special investigative team has been formed to track down additional suspects.

Sadly, cases like this are not isolated. According to India’s National Crime Records Bureau, more than 2,500 people — most of them women — were killed between 2000 and 2016 after being accused of practicing witchcraft.

Similar incidents have been reported in rural and tribal regions where superstition remains deeply rooted and access to medical care is scarce.

Authorities say they plan to increase awareness campaigns in rural communities to combat harmful superstitions and prevent further violence.