Villagers in Odisha beat a man to death and burn his remains over witchcraft accusations

Ramachandra Malik, a 41-year-old resident of Merama village in Odisha’s Gajapati district, was allegedly seized from his hill-top home in the early hours of the morning by fellow villagers. His wife, Kamalabati, reported that after a village meeting the men beat Malik to death and carried his body to a forest where they set it on fire, also injuring her when she tried to intervene. Police investigators have located the burn site, recovered skeletal remains and ash, and have detained five individuals for interrogation.

Superintendent of Police PS Meena confirmed the arrests and the ongoing investigation. Malik’s daughter, Moina, denied any involvement in witchcraft, a charge that had forced the family to live apart from the main settlement. The incident occurs as the Odisha government drafts a State Policy for Witch-Hunting (Prevention, Protection and Prosecution) for 2026, aimed at preventing similar attacks and ensuring swift legal action.