Lalpari Devi was known in the village for possessing occult powers and practicing witchcraft. She was hired around a week back by Ram Ayodhya Rai (arrested) to cure his ailing wife. However, when the condition of his wife worsened, he felt the “witch” had used her powers to kill her. On Thursday, when Lalpari Devi was spotted in the village, Rai and other villagers caught her and started beating her.

The incident was raised in the Assembly on Friday by Opposition members. Replying to it, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said his government had taken the matter seriously and assured the House that the culprits will not be spared. Kumar said that it was unfortunate that such malaise existed in the society and urged everyone to make the masses aware.

Police said that so far they are going straight in the case, but would also probe the role of the TV stringers. “It is amazing that the villagers beat up the woman in front of camera for half an hour,” said a police officer.