Odisha man killed, burnt over witchcraft suspicion

A 41-year-old man in Odisha's Gajapati district was allegedly beaten to death and his body burnt by villagers who suspected him of witchcraft. Five persons have been detained. His wife, who tried to intervene, was also assaulted. The incident occurred as Odisha moves to frame its State Policy for Witch-Hunting (Prevention, Protection and Prosecution), 2026.