Tragic Death in Rayagada: Villagers Accuse Man of Witchcraft

Witchcraft Accusations Lead to Violence

Rayagada: A tragic incident unfolded in Burusubadi village, located within the Badaalubadi panchayat and Seskhal police jurisdiction, where a 40-year-old man was reportedly murdered by local villagers over allegations of witchcraft, as confirmed by police on Saturday.

The victim, identified as Ramarao Jilakara, was subjected to brutal treatment on August 8, where he was tied to an electric pole in the village square, assaulted, and allegedly forced to ingest poison.

Following the assault, his body was transported to a cremation site on a cot and cremated without notifying his family, who were reportedly threatened against speaking out.

On August 12, Ramarao’s younger brother, Dharma Jilakara, filed a complaint at the Seskhal police station. He recounted that another villager, Kasana Jilakara, had passed away from illness on August 7, leading to accusations against Ramarao of witchcraft and causing Kasana's death.

In fear for their safety, Ramarao and his family sought refuge at a relative's home in Kunjabadi village. However, upon returning home late on August 8, he was captured by a group of villagers, including Bijay Jilakara and others, who tied him up, assaulted him, and forced him to drink poison before cremating him without informing his family.

The police have registered a case (73/2025) under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and have arrested 12 individuals, who were presented in court on August 13, according to Rayagada SDPO Gourahari Sahu.

Authorities have announced plans to initiate awareness programs aimed at preventing such incidents in the future. Dharma Jilakara noted that this was not an isolated case.

In 2023, after the death of another villager, Ishwar Mandangi, Ramarao's family had faced similar threats from the same group, prompting Ramarao to seek police protection, which resulted in villagers signing an agreement to ensure his family's safety.

Dharma also recalled that nearly two decades ago, their father, Pedeya Jilakara, was killed under similar suspicions of witchcraft.

Community leaders and intellectuals have condemned this incident, emphasizing that despite societal advancements, superstitions and witch-hunting still plague remote areas, highlighting the urgent need for effective awareness campaigns.