Khunti school principal attack: 3 juveniles held, 4th still at large
Synopsis
Four former students — all juveniles — allegedly broke into a Jharkhand school at night to steal fair money, and attacked the principal when he unexpectedly arrived. Three have been caught; ₹85,747 and buried mobile phones recovered. The attack on Father Benedict Barla has triggered a silent march and road blockade in Khunti.
Key Takeaways
Father Benedict Barla , principal of RC Boys Middle School in Khunti , was attacked on the night of 20 October and found unconscious the next morning.
Three juveniles aged 13 , 14 , and 15 have been detained; a fourth accused remains at large.
All four are former students of the same school who reportedly entered the premises to steal money for a local fair.
Police recovered ₹85,747 in cash , mobile phones, and purchased goods; cash and phones were found buried in a forest.
An SIT led by SP Rishabh Garg cracked the case using CCTV footage and mobile tower data within days.
Community protests, including a silent march and road blockade , erupted in Khunti on Friday demanding strict action.
Jharkhand Police have cracked the attempted murder case of Father Benedict Barla, principal of RC Boys Middle School in Khunti, detaining three juveniles and continuing the hunt for a fourth accused, officials confirmed on Friday, 23 October 2026. The attack, which left Father Barla critically injured, has sparked widespread protests across the district.
What Happened on the Night of 20 October
According to police, all four accused are former students of the school, having passed Class 7 and previously resided in its hostel. On the night of 20 October, the four arrived at the school premises at around 8:30 pm with the intent to steal money to attend a local fair.
When Father Barla unexpectedly appeared, one of the accused attacked him with a small hoe-like weapon, striking him on the forehead and temple to avoid being identified. After Father Barla collapsed, the accused stole items from the school office and fled. The entire incident reportedly lasted approximately 30 minutes.
Father Barla was found unconscious and severely injured on the school campus the following morning on 21 October. He was shifted to a hospital in Ranchi, where he remains under treatment.
How Police Cracked the Case
Rishabh Garg, Superintendent of Police of Khunti, said at a press conference on Friday evening that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted immediately to track down the accused through technical evidence, CCTV footage, and information gathered during questioning.
Police received information about the incident at around 8:45 am on 21 October. By examining CCTV footage from surrounding areas and analysing mobile tower data, investigators identified a suspicious mobile number that led them to the first accused. Interrogation of that individual revealed the involvement of two other juveniles.
Based on their disclosures, police recovered mobile phones and cash buried in a forest area. Acting on the accused persons' information, police recovered a total of ₹85,747 in cash, mobile phones, and several items purchased with the stolen money. The accused had used part of the stolen funds to purchase goods online and from local markets, while the remaining amount was hidden at different locations.
Who Has Been Detained
The three juveniles currently in detention are aged 13, 14, and 15 years. The role and age of the fourth accused will be determined after arrest, Garg said. All four had been associated with the same school as former students.
Community Outrage and Protests
The assault on Father Barla triggered significant public outrage in Khunti. On Friday, members of the Christian community and local residents organised a silent march through the district, demanding strict action against all those responsible. Protesters also blocked a road in the area, reflecting the depth of anger over the attack on a school principal within his own institution.
This incident comes amid broader concerns about juvenile crime and institutional security in the region. With a fourth accused still at large, police are expected to complete arrests and present their findings to a juvenile justice board in the coming days.
Point of View
Weaponised a mundane tool, and nearly killed a man who had been their principal. The motive — stealing money for a fair — underscores the failure of post-exit support structures for school-leavers in tribal districts like Khunti. The SIT's swift technical response is commendable, but the deeper question is systemic: how do juveniles with institutional histories reach this point with no intervention? Community outrage and a road blockade signal that trust in local safety has eroded well beyond this single incident.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Father Benedict Barla and what happened to him?
Father Benedict Barla is the principal of RC Boys Middle School in Khunti, Jharkhand, associated with St Michael's Church. He was attacked with a hoe-like weapon on the night of 20 October 2025 by juveniles who had broken into the school to steal money, and was found unconscious the following morning with serious injuries to his forehead and temple. He is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Ranchi.
Why did the juveniles attack the school principal?
According to police, the four accused entered the school premises at around 8:30 pm on 20 October to steal money to attend a local fair. When Father Barla unexpectedly arrived and discovered them, one of the juveniles attacked him with a small hoe-like weapon to avoid being caught and identified.
How many juveniles have been arrested and what are their ages?
Three juveniles aged 13, 14, and 15 years have been detained in connection with the attack. A fourth accused remains at large, and police say his age and role will be confirmed after arrest.
How did the Jharkhand Police solve the case so quickly?
An SIT was constituted to analyse CCTV footage from surrounding areas and mobile tower data. A suspicious mobile number was identified, leading police to the first accused, whose interrogation revealed the other two. Buried cash and mobile phones in a forest were subsequently recovered.
What is the reaction of the local community in Khunti?
The attack triggered widespread outrage in Khunti. On Friday, members of the Christian community and local residents held a silent march demanding strict action against all accused. Protesters also blocked a road in the area as a demonstration of their anger.
