Witchcraft Suspicion: Villager's Death Sparks Outrage in Odisha

In Odisha's Gajapati district, a villager named Karunakar Dalai was killed by locals on July 28 over suspicions of witchcraft. This action followed the death of a local boy, to whom Dalai had prescribed medicine. Police have detained eight suspects, highlighting a troubling trend of witchcraft-related violence in the area.


Devdiscourse News Desk | Bhubaneswar | Updated: 07-08-2025 14:56 IST | Created: 07-08-2025 14:56 IST
Witchcraft Suspicion: Villager's Death Sparks Outrage in Odisha
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Odisha's Gajapati district is the scene of a tragic incident stemming from deep-rooted suspicions of witchcraft. Local resident Karunakar Dalai, who practiced as a quack, was allegedly beaten to death by villagers on July 28.

The villagers acted in anger after a 12-year-old boy, who had received treatment from Dalai, passed away following a dog bite. Subsequent investigations led to the discovery of Dalai's body in a local forest, revealing a grim pattern of vigilante actions under the guise of witchcraft suspicion.

Authorities have detained eight individuals in connection with the incident. This follows a previous case of similar nature in the region, triggering concerns over recurring instances of such violence within the area.

(With inputs from agencies.)

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