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In Bihar, a music system malfunctions and a man is killed over ‘witchcraft’ rumours

According to the police, 55-year-old Gaya Manjhi was killed and his wife wounded when a mob from their village of Panchugarh Musahari attacked them.

The victim’s body has been sent for an autopsy.

A man was killed and his wife injured in Bihar’s Nawada after a mob accused the couple of witchcraft and allegedly tortured them over a glitching music system.

According to the police, 55-year-old Gaya Manjhi was killed and his wife wounded when a mob from their village of Panchugarh Musahari attacked them, forcibly shaved their heads and paraded them with a garland of footwear after the music system began to malfunction at a private event.

“One of the suspects, Mohan Manjhi, was having a celebration at home, and the music system was glitching. The suspect accused the victims of using black magic to stop the system,” Nawada police superintendent Abhinav Dhiman said.

The police received a call about the attack at 8 am on Wednesday. On reaching the scene, the team found Gaya Manjhi dead and his wife Samudri wounded. Samudri is currently at the local district hospital and is stated to be stable and out of danger.

The victim’s body has been sent for an autopsy.

According to police sources, the couple had been facing harassment over witchcraft allegations. After the system malfunctioned on Tuesday, the mob allegedly dragged the couple out of their house, assaulted them, forcibly shaved their heads, smeared them with limestone paste and paraded them with a garland of footwear around their necks.

On Wednesday morning, the police got another call that the crowd was taking the body to the cremation ground and intervened, sources said, adding that the mob had allegedly planned to burn the woman alive.

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According to SP Dhiman, 17 people – nine women and seven men – were arrested. Among them was Mohan Manjhi. “Their arrests were based on the statements provided by the victim’s wife. Further investigations are underway,” he said.

Himanshu Harsh

Himanshu Harsh is a Correspondent with The Indian Express, currently leading on-the-ground coverage in Bihar. With a reporting career rooted in the complexities of the National Capital Region (NCR), Himanshu specializes in the critical intersection of law, crime, and civic governance. Professional Expertise & Credentials An alumnus of the prestigious Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi, Himanshu brings a rigorous academic foundation to his investigative work. His expertise is characterized by a "ground-up" reporting style, most notably demonstrated during his extensive coverage of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where he analyzed shifting political landscapes and grassroots sentiment. Specialized Beats Himanshu’s portfolio reflects versatility, allowing him to navigate diverse industries and social issues: Civic & Legal Affairs: Extensive experience covering the Delhi reporting beat, focusing on policy implementation and judicial impact. Automotive Industry: A technical background in reporting on India’s evolving transport and automotive sectors. Social Fabric & Human Interest: Beyond hard news, he is known for exploring the changing social dynamics of India’s urban and rural heartlands, bringing a human-centric lens to systemic issues. Personal Interests & Digital Literacy Outside the newsroom, Himanshu’s deep engagement with technology and gaming informs his understanding of digital trends and the modern information economy. A trained DJ with a passion for music, his diverse personal interests contribute to a well-rounded perspective that resonates across both traditional and digital media platforms. ... Read More

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