60-Year-Old Woman Killed on Suspicion of Witchcraft in Rayagada

Bhubaneswar: In a shocking case of superstition-driven violence, a 60-year-old woman was allegedly murdered by a group of youths at Sansiguru village under Seshakhala police station in Rayagada district on Thursday night.

The victim, identified as Jayadhan Mandangi, was sleeping alone at her home when she was attacked and stabbed to death. Her son, Jaga Tadingi, lodged a complaint with the police, alleging that the youths of the village killed his mother on the suspicion of practicing witchcraft.

Police have registered a case and launched an investigation. They reached the spot soon after receiving the complaint and began inquiries to identify those involved in the crime.

This is not an isolated incident in the region. Over the past 15 days, three witchcraft-related cases have been reported under the same police station’s jurisdiction, leading to two deaths and one serious injury.

Locals and intellectuals in the district have expressed concern, urging the administration to step up awareness campaigns to prevent such acts of violence driven by superstition.

Notably, in April 2025, a 55-year-old man was also killed in Rayagada district over similar suspicions of witchcraft, underlining the recurring nature of such crimes in the region.