Delhi, 16 July (H.S.): The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India has taken suo motu cognizance of a report concerning the alleged hacking to death and burning of five family members from a Scheduled Tribe in Purnia district, Bihar, on July 6, 2025, due to suspicions of witchcraft.

The NHRC emphasized that if the report is accurate, it indicates serious human rights violations. Consequently, it has issued notices to Bihar's Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, seeking a detailed report within two weeks about the investigation's status and the apprehension of the assailants. Additionally, the NHRC has instructed the state government to ensure counseling and safety measures for the 16-year-old boy, the only survivor and eyewitness of the incident.

The report details that approximately 50 individuals attacked the family, targeting the boy's mother first and subsequently killing the rest when they attempted to intervene, followed by the burning of their bodies about 100-150 meters from their home, driven by village suspicions around witchcraft.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar