Five of a family dead in 10 days in Palamu after occultist's ash advice
Synopsis
Five people from one family in Palamu, Jharkhand died in just ten days — reportedly after consuming ash on the advice of a local occult practitioner instead of seeking timely medical care. Three more family members remain critical at RIMS Ranchi, and forensic teams are now testing ash samples and mustard oil as investigators probe whether dropsy or another toxin is responsible.
Key Takeaways
Five members of the Kuldeep Mahto family in Sikka village, Palamu died between 19 June and 29 June 2025 .
The family reportedly consumed ash on the advice of a local occult practitioner ( ojha ) instead of seeking prompt medical treatment.
Three survivors — including Lakho Devi (wife), a son, and a grandson — remain under treatment at RIMS, Ranchi .
Doctors have not ruled out dropsy ; mustard oil and other food items are being tested alongside ash samples.
Viscera of all deceased preserved at Medinirai Medical College and Hospital for forensic analysis; cause of death pending lab results.
Five members of a single family in Palamu, Jharkhand, died within ten days after allegedly consuming ash on the advice of a local occult practitioner, or ojha, instead of pursuing timely medical treatment. The deaths, which unfolded between 19 June and 29 June in Sikka village under Padwa block, have prompted a state Health Department investigation, with forensic samples now under analysis.
How the Deaths Unfolded
The sequence began when Kuldeep Mahto, the head of the family, died on 19 June. His daughter died the following day. The remaining family members continued to split their care between hospital visits and faith healing at Purnadih in Lesliganj, where they reportedly continued consuming ash on the ojha's instructions.
The deaths continued in rapid succession: Indu Kumari, Kuldeep Mahto's second daughter, died on 26 June; his daughter-in-law Shweta Kumari died on 28 June; and his son Nakul Mahto died on 29 June while undergoing treatment at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi.
Three Survivors Remain Critical
Three other family members — Kuldeep Mahto's wife Lakho Devi, a son, and a grandson — are currently receiving treatment at RIMS. Doctors have noted that all patients presented with symptoms of swelling, after which their condition deteriorated rapidly. The Health Department has described the case as serious and has deployed an investigation team to both Sikka village and Purnadih.
What the Health Department Said
Palamu Civil Surgeon Dr Anil Kumar Srivastava said the family had been repeatedly advised to seek hospital treatment but continued to rely on both medical care and faith healing. 'After learning about the consumption of ash, its samples have been sent for examination,' he said. Samples of the ash, as well as food items including mustard oil, are being tested for toxic substances.
Forensic Investigation Under Way
The viscera of all five deceased have been preserved at Medinirai Medical College and Hospital and are to be sent for forensic analysis. Doctors have noted that at a preliminary level, the possibility of dropsy — a condition linked to adulterated mustard oil — cannot be ruled out. The exact cause of death will be established only after the full investigation is complete. This case has drawn attention to the dangers of faith healing practices and the risks communities face when medical care is delayed or substituted with unverified remedies.
Point of View
Affordable medical infrastructure leaves families vulnerable to faith healers. The preliminary suspicion of dropsy, historically linked to adulterated mustard oil, raises a separate and equally urgent question about food safety supply chains in the region. If forensic results confirm either a toxic substance or contaminated oil, this stops being a faith-healing tragedy and becomes an accountability failure across multiple systems. Investigators must pursue both threads simultaneously rather than settling on a single narrative before the science is in.
NationPress
29 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did five members of the Palamu family die in ten days?
Five members of the Kuldeep Mahto family in Sikka village, Palamu died between 19 June and 29 June 2025, allegedly after consuming ash on the advice of a local occult practitioner instead of seeking proper medical treatment. The exact cause of death is under forensic investigation and has not yet been confirmed.
What is the current status of the investigation?
A Jharkhand Health Department team has reached Sikka village and Purnadih to investigate. Ash samples, mustard oil, and other food items have been collected for testing, and the viscera of the deceased have been preserved at Medinirai Medical College and Hospital for forensic analysis.
What is dropsy and why is it suspected in this case?
Dropsy is a condition associated with swelling in the body and has historically been linked to the consumption of adulterated mustard oil. Doctors examining the Palamu family noted swelling as a common symptom across patients, prompting investigators to test mustard oil used by the family alongside the ash samples.
Are any family members still alive?
Three family members — Kuldeep Mahto's wife Lakho Devi, a son, and a grandson — are currently receiving treatment at RIMS in Ranchi. Doctors have described their condition as serious.
What has the Palamu Civil Surgeon said about the case?
Palamu Civil Surgeon Dr Anil Kumar Srivastava stated that the family had been repeatedly advised to seek hospital treatment but continued to rely on faith healing alongside medical care. He confirmed that ash samples have been sent for laboratory examination after authorities learned of their consumption.
