Jharkhand priest shot in Khunti school, condition critical; probe launched
Synopsis
A Catholic priest and school principal was shot on his own school premises in Khunti, Jharkhand, and found in a pool of blood at 8:30 am on Wednesday. With no motive established and assailants unidentified, police are racing to analyse CCTV footage — this is the second grave incident targeting Catholic clergy in Khunti within the same year.
Key Takeaways
Father Benedict Barla , principal of RC Boys Middle School , was shot by unidentified assailants in Khunti, Jharkhand on 21 October 2026 .
He was found on the school premises in a pool of blood at around 8:30 am and is currently in critical condition at Pulse Hospital, Ranchi .
The motive and identity of the assailants remain unknown; police are examining CCTV footage from the area.
The Khunti Superintendent of Police and Sub-Divisional Police Officer visited the scene and launched an investigation.
Earlier this year on 8 January , two Catholic priests — Father Sushil Praveen Tiru and Father Sunil Bhengra — died in a road accident in the same district.
Father Benedict Barla, principal of RC Boys Middle School in Khunti district, Jharkhand, and a priest associated with St. Michael's Cathedral, was shot by unidentified assailants on Wednesday, 21 October, and is in a critical condition. He was discovered on the school premises in a pool of blood at around 8:30 am and has since been admitted to Pulse Hospital in Ranchi after being referred from Khunti Sadar Hospital.
What Happened at the School
According to preliminary information from police, Father Barla had been present in the school office the previous night. Investigators say it remains unclear whether the attack took place during the night or in the early hours of Wednesday morning. He was found lying on the school grounds and was immediately rushed for first aid before being transferred to Ranchi in view of the severity of his injuries.
Police Response and Investigation
The Khunti Superintendent of Police, the Sub-Divisional Police Officer, and other personnel reached the scene after being alerted to the incident. A police team inspected the school premises and began collecting evidence as part of a preliminary investigation. Authorities are currently examining CCTV footage from cameras installed in areas surrounding the school and along roads leading to the premises. The footage is expected to help establish the movements of the suspects before and after the attack.
The motive behind the shooting and the identities of the assailants remain unknown. According to police, the investigation is being pursued from all possible angles to identify and apprehend those responsible.
A Troubled Pattern in Khunti
This is not the first time the Catholic community in Khunti has been shaken by tragedy. On 8 January this year, two Roman Catholic priests — Father Sushil Praveen Tiru and Father Sunil Bhengra, both residents of Dodma — were killed when the car they were travelling in collided with a truck on the Ranchi-Simdega Main Road in the same district. A third priest was injured in that accident. The latest incident adds to a series of grave setbacks for the religious community in the region.
What Comes Next
Authorities have not yet named any suspects or established a motive. The CCTV analysis is ongoing, and police have said they will pursue every available lead. Father Barla's medical condition remains critical, and his progress is being closely monitored at Pulse Hospital in Ranchi. The incident is expected to draw attention to the security of religious institutions in Jharkhand.
Point of View
And until they do, the temptation to speculate about communal angles must be resisted. But the pattern demands a serious, transparent probe — not just CCTV analysis, but a clear public accounting of whether institutions housing vulnerable communities are being adequately protected.
NationPress
21 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 district, Jharkhand, and a priest associated with St. Michael's Cathedral. He was shot by unidentified assailants and found on the school premises in a pool of blood at around 8:30 am on 21 October; he is currently in critical condition at Pulse Hospital in Ranchi.
Where is Father Barla being treated?
After receiving first aid at Khunti Sadar Hospital, Father Barla was referred to Ranchi due to the severity of his injuries and is currently admitted to Pulse Hospital, where he is undergoing treatment.
Has anyone been arrested in connection with the shooting?
No arrests have been made so far. The identities of the assailants and the motive behind the attack remain unknown. Police are examining CCTV footage from the school's surrounding areas and roads to identify suspects.
What is the background of violence against Catholic clergy in Khunti?
On 8 January this year, two Catholic priests — Father Sushil Praveen Tiru and Father Sunil Bhengra, both residents of Dodma — were killed when their car collided with a truck on the Ranchi-Simdega Main Road in Khunti district. A third priest was injured in that accident.
What are police doing to solve the case?
The Khunti Superintendent of Police and Sub-Divisional Police Officer have visited the scene and launched an investigation. Authorities are analysing CCTV footage from the school premises and nearby roads to trace the movements of the suspects before and after the attack.
