Archive · 5 Jan 2026
Three arrested for killing man over witchcraft suspicion in Jharkhand
In Jharkhand, India, three people were arrested for killing a man named Rukhi Rajwar.
They believed he was practicing witchcraft and blamed him for the death of Sita Rajwar's daughter.
The accused took Rukhi to a road, drank alcohol, and then Sita shot and killed him.
Police found weapons and other items near the crime scene.
The woman among the accused, Manmati Kunwar, had been in jail before for a similar case.
All three are now in judicial custody.
Three people, including a woman, were arrested for killing a man suspected of practicing witchcraft in Jharkhand's Garhwa district.
The victim, Rukhi Rajwar, was shot in the head by one of the accused, Sita Rajwar, after being taken to a road and consuming alcohol.
The motive behind the murder was the belief that Rukhi's witchcraft caused the death of Sita's daughter.
Police recovered two country-made pistols, cartridges, a mobile phone, and a bike from the crime scene.
One of the accused, Manmati Kunwar, had a prior arrest related to witchcraft and sorcery.
- Who
- Rukhi Rajwar (victim), Sita Rajwar, Manoj Rajwar, Manmati Kunwar (accused)
- What
- Murder of a man suspected of practicing witchcraft
- When
- January 4, 2024 (arrests made), Friday night (crime committed)
- Where
- Bhawnathpur-Ketar Main Road, Garhwa district, Jharkhand
- Why
- Suspected witchcraft leading to the victim's daughter's death
Superstition
Law Enforcement
Belief in Witchcraft
Superstition
The accused believed the victim was practicing witchcraft and was responsible for the death of a family member.
Law Enforcement
Law enforcement views the murder as a criminal act driven by superstition and seeks to prosecute the accused.
- Victim
- Rukhi Rajwar
- Location of Crime
- Bhawnathpur-Ketar Main Road, Jharkhand
- Accused
- Sita Rajwar, Manoj Rajwar, Manmati Kunwar
- Weapon Used
- Country-made pistols
- Motive
- Suspected witchcraft
- Arrest Date
- January 4, 2024
