Daijiworld Media Network - Chaibasa

Chaibasa, May 23: In a deeply disturbing incident, a 12-year-old boy was brutally murdered in Jugidaru village under the Mufassil police station area of Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district, officials confirmed on Friday.

The victim, Arjun Ban Singh, was allegedly attacked by a neighbour, Chandra Mohan Ban Singh, who has since been arrested by the police.

The tragic incident occurred late Thursday evening while Arjun’s parents, Sinkur Ban Singh and his wife, were away at the local market. Upon returning home, they were horrified to learn from their nine-year-old daughter Anita that the accused had entered their house with a knife and slit Arjun’s throat. Anita managed to flee and raise an alarm, alerting villagers.

Acting swiftly, Superintendent of Police Ashutosh Shekhar directed the formation of a special police team. Based on a complaint filed by the victim’s father, a case was registered at Chaibasa Mufassil Police Station under Case No. 83/2025, Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

Police arrested the accused early Friday morning. During interrogation, Chandra Mohan confessed to the crime, and the murder weapon an iron knife was recovered from his home.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the motive may be linked to a long-standing land dispute and accusations of witchcraft. Police sources revealed that the accused’s wife had recently accused Arjun’s mother of being a witch, which may have provoked the gruesome act.

The arrest operation was led by Mufassil Police Station in-charge Chandrashekhar, along with SI Mithun Kumar, ASI Yadunandan Mahato, Dashrath Tudu, and armed personnel.

The accused has been remanded to judicial custody, and further investigation is ongoing. The heinous crime has plunged the village into deep mourning, leaving residents shocked and grieving the loss of a young life.