Key conspirator held in Tripura witchcraft killing case

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, November 7, 2025

Police have arrested the alleged mastermind behind the brutal witchcraft-related killing of a woman in Tripura’s Sidhai area, a week after the shocking incident triggered outrage across the region.

The accused, identified as 66-year-old Prafulla Debbarma, was taken into custody on Thursday and produced before a local court, which remanded him to judicial custody, officials said.

According to police, Debbarma is believed to be the key conspirator who incited the mob that lynched 58-year-old Nanda Rani Debbarma on October 26, accusing her of practicing witchcraft.

“We have already arrested three persons directly involved in the assault that led to the woman’s death. During interrogation, they named Prafulla Debbarma as the person who provoked and conspired in the attack. Acting on their statement, we arrested him and produced him before the court,” a senior police officer said.

The gruesome incident took place in a remote village under the jurisdiction of Sidhai police station, where the victim was dragged out of her home and beaten to death by a mob of frenzied locals.

Following the assault, the woman’s body was buried the next day according to Christian customs. However, after the victim’s sister lodged a complaint with the Sidhai police station, investigators exhumed the body and sent it for post-mortem examination.

So far, four people have been arrested in connection with the case, while police said further arrests could follow as the investigation continues.

Officials have described the killing as a “deeply disturbing instance of superstition-driven violence,” adding that efforts are being made to raise awareness in the community to prevent such incidents in the future.

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