35-year-old Raghu Oraon confessed to strangling his partner and hiding the body in his house; villagers’ suspicion led to the shocking discovery.

Lohardaga: Lohardaga murder case:

A spine-chilling murder case has sent shockwaves through Bhitta Chatti, Sokra village, under Bhandra block of Lohardaga district, after police unearthed the body of a woman buried inside a rented room. The accused, identified as 35-year-old Raghu Oraon, allegedly strangled his live-in partner Phulo Oraon (30) and buried her inside the very house where he continued to live and sleep on top of the grave.

The Incident

The horrifying crime dates back to 25th August, when the couple was seen quarreling publicly during a football match in the village. Following the incident, Phulo went missing, raising concerns among villagers. Days later, when her absence became suspicious, residents alerted the police.

Upon receiving information, Bhandra police station in-charge Arvind Kumar Singh detained Raghu for interrogation. Under strict questioning, he admitted to killing Phulo in a fit of rage and later burying her body inside his own room.

Discovery of the Body

The shocking revelation led police and administration to the site, where the body was recovered. In the presence of Bhandra Block Development Officer (BDO) Pratima Kumari, the authorities dug up the room and recovered the decomposed remains of Phulo Oraon.

What has stunned locals even more is the fact that Raghu continued to sleep over the buried body for days after committing the crime.

Criminal Past of the Accused

Police investigations further revealed that Raghu Oraon has a history of violent crimes. Nearly a decade ago, he, along with his brothers, had murdered his own father, Dhan Masihi Oraon. He was convicted in that case and spent several years in prison before being released around five years ago.

Since his release, Raghu had been living alone in a one-room house on the outskirts of the village. Villagers claim he kept a low profile but often displayed aggressive behavior.

Villagers in Shock

The entire village has been left traumatized by the revelations. Locals described Phulo as a cheerful and friendly woman who had endured Raghu’s aggressive behavior for years. Many now regret not intervening earlier.

A villager, under condition of anonymity, said:

“We thought their fights were just like any other couple’s quarrel. But none of us imagined he would go this far. Sleeping on her grave… this is beyond human imagination.”

Another villager remarked:

“Raghu was always unpredictable. We tried to stay away from his matters. But this incident has scarred our community forever.”

The incident has sparked discussions about domestic violence, mental health, and the risks of ignoring repeated aggressive behavior.

Live-in Relationships in Rural Jharkhand

While live-in relationships are increasingly common in urban India, they remain relatively rare in rural areas like Lohardaga. In many tribal and semi-rural communities, cohabitation without marriage is frowned upon, though exceptions exist.

Phulo and Raghu’s decision to live together without formal marriage may have isolated them socially, leaving them without strong community support. Experts argue that such isolation can sometimes aggravate tensions within relationships, as partners lack external intervention or mediation.

Police Investigation and Legal Path

Police have booked Raghu Oraon under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for murder and Section 201 for destruction of evidence. He is likely to face life imprisonment or even the death penalty, depending on the court’s interpretation.

Authorities are also considering whether to apply additional charges for concealing a body and for his criminal history. Legal experts suggest that his prior conviction for patricide could weigh heavily against him during sentencing.

Psychological Profile of the Accused

Criminologists studying the case point to Raghu’s history of violence as evidence of psychopathic tendencies. His ability to live normally while sharing a room with his victim’s buried body indicates a lack of empathy and remorse.

According to a psychiatrist consulted by police:

“The act of sleeping over the grave suggests a disturbing psychological state. He may have normalized violence to such an extent that death and decay did not bother him. This is not only criminal behavior but also a sign of severe mental illness.”

Crime Trends in Jharkhand

Jharkhand has witnessed a rise in domestic violence, honor killings, and crimes of passion over the past decade. Lohardaga district, while relatively small, has seen a worrying number of violent crimes tied to family disputes and land issues.

Police data indicates:

Domestic violence cases in Jharkhand have risen by nearly 18% in the last five years.
Murders related to domestic disputes form almost 22% of total homicide cases in rural areas.
Many such cases involve tribal communities, where traditional dispute resolution mechanisms often fail in modern contexts.

The Raghu-Phulo case highlights the dangerous intersection of domestic abuse, lack of social support, and unchecked criminal tendencies.

This case has reignited debates about mental health awareness, anger management, and domestic violence prevention in rural India. Many argue that systemic failures—such as lack of counseling, community mediation, and law enforcement monitoring of repeat offenders—contributed to this tragedy.

Women’s rights activists in Jharkhand have demanded stricter monitoring of convicts released from prison and greater awareness programs for couples in strained relationships. They stress that neighbors and community members should not remain silent when signs of abuse are evident.

Comparisons with Similar Cases

India has seen a number of high-profile cases where partners killed each other and lived with the corpse.

In Delhi (2018), a man murdered his wife and kept her body inside a fridge for days.
In Maharashtra (2020), a woman killed her partner and hid his remains in her home for weeks.

The Lohardaga case, however, is unique in its rural setting and the horrifying detail of the accused sleeping directly above the buried body.

Conclusion

The murder of Phulo Oraon by her partner Raghu Oraon is more than just a crime story—it is a wake-up call for society. It exposes how unchecked anger, violent tendencies, and neglect of mental health can lead to unthinkable acts.

For the villagers of Bhitta Chatti, life will never be the same again. The chilling memory of one of their own sleeping over the grave of his victim will haunt the community for years to come.

As legal proceedings unfold, one thing is certain: the Lohardaga murder case will be remembered as one of the most disturbing crimes in Jharkhand’s history.