Madhubani: A Muslim woman, identified as Roshan Khatoon, succumbed to her injuries on March 1, a day after she was allegedly assaulted by a mob and forced to drink water mixed with urine and alcohol while fasting for Ramzan in Bihar’s Madhubani district.
The incident occurred on February 28 in Amhi village under Ghoghardiha police station. Khatoon had reportedly approached the village head seeking help in a local family dispute. Videos circulating online show Mannu Singh, the son of the village pradhan, allegedly tying her to a pole and violently assaulting her and her family in front of a large gathering.
Locals said Khatoon repeatedly begged the attackers to stop. “People saw what was happening, but the beating continued. She was helpless and kept asking them to stop,” a resident said. Another added that she had approached the village head for justice, but was instead attacked, shocking the entire village. Khatoon was fasting at the time and was allegedly forced to drink water mixed with urine and alcohol when she asked for water.
However, Ghoghardiha police Station House Officer denied these claims, saying reports were being circulated to create unrest in the village. “Yeh sab baat badane ke liye bataare hai. Aisa kuch nahi hua (Nothing happened. All the reports are rumours),” he said, while confirming Khatoon’s death.
A complaint was lodged by a neighbour, Rustam, on February 28 at 10 pm. An FIR was registered against Mannu Singh under Section 109 (attempt to murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Following Khatoon’s death, Section 103 was added to the case, converting it into an alleged murder investigation.
Police said investigations are ongoing and the motive for the attack has not yet been determined. The video footage is under inspection, and authorities are awaiting the postmortem report for further details.