Assam Court Hands Life Terms to Six for 1995 Witchcraft-Linked Killing

A court in Assam has sentenced six men to life imprisonment for the murder of an elderly woman killed more than three decades ago on suspicion of practising witchcraft.
The Rangia Additional Sessions and District Judge’s Court pronounced the judgment on Wednesday in the case of Maria Boro, an 80-year-old resident of Bordangerikuchi village in Kamrup district.
According to the prosecution, Boro was attacked in 1995 after being branded a witch by local residents. Her body was subsequently burnt.
The six convicts—Soneswar Boro, Jungle Boro, Suraj Boro, Kandura Boro, Hareshwar Boro and Dhanla Boro—were all from the same area under Baihata Chariali police station.
The court found them guilty under Sections 147, 148, 149, 302, 448 and 201 of the Indian Penal Code and imposed life terms.
The case had remained pending for years, with the trial stretching across more than three decades before the final verdict.
Wednesday’s decision closes a long chapter in a matter that highlights the persistent problem of violence linked to superstition in parts of Assam.
Witchcraft-related attacks have historically targeted vulnerable individuals, particularly older women in rural communities.
Authorities and social organisations have repeatedly called for stronger awareness and enforcement to prevent such incidents.
The conviction underlines that the justice system continues to pursue accountability even when cases take decades to reach conclusion.
Details of any further appeals or compensation directions were not immediately specified in initial reports of the ruling.
The judgment serves as a reminder of the human cost of accusations rooted in unfounded beliefs and the importance of due process in addressing them.
Police records from the original investigation formed the basis of the prosecution case that ultimately led to the life sentences.
Further official confirmation of the full court order is expected in the coming days.