In Bihar’s Madhubani district, a Muslim woman died days after she was allegedly assaulted by a group of villagers, with her family accusing the police of shielding the accused and delaying medical treatment despite the severity of her injuries.
Roshan Khatoon, a resident of Amhi village in Ghoghardiha block, was attacked on February 25 when she went to the residence of the village head, Kumari Devi, in connection with a local dispute. According to her family, what began as an attempt to resolve the issue quickly escalated into violence, with a group led by the mukhiya’s son allegedly assaulting her. Khatoon sustained serious injuries in the incident and was later admitted to Patna Medical College and Hospital, where she died on March 1.
Family members alleged that Khatoon was beaten continuously over an extended period, during which she was forced to the ground, kicked, punched, and assaulted with sticks. They claimed she was later dragged and tied at the entrance of the house, where the assault continued in public view. Her husband, Mohammad Shahabuddin, told The Observer Post that she repeatedly pleaded for mercy but received no help from those present. Some local residents, they said, witnessed the incident but did not intervene.
“She was first beaten, then tied to the door, beaten again. They pounced on her and hurt her badly. She lost consciousness and was talking gibberish when I tried to speak to her,” Shahabuddin said.
The family has also alleged that Khatoon was subjected to religious humiliation during the assault. According to them, she had been observing a fast and asked for water as her condition worsened. A relative claimed that instead of being given water, it was thrown away, and she was allegedly forced to consume alcohol mixed with urine. The family believes the act was intended to target her religious identity.
He said she was targeted “only because she is Muslim” and confirmed the allegations of inhumane treatment. “They beat her like an animal, and when she felt thirsty and asked for water, they gave her urine mixed with alcohol. She was fasting, and they did this intentionally to hurt our religious sentiments. It has been like this for several years; we are being targeted because we are Muslims,” he said.
Police officials have said that these specific allegations are under investigation and have not been independently verified so far.
Allegations against the police form a significant part of the family’s account. They claim that when officers reached the spot, Khatoon was not immediately taken for medical treatment. Instead, she and her husband were taken to the police station. Her husband alleged that he was assaulted there and that officers demanded money for their release. According to him, the family arranged ₹4,000 by borrowing from villagers, after which they were allowed to leave. He further alleged that despite Khatoon’s deteriorating physical and mental condition, she was not promptly taken to a hospital, which delayed critical care.
The family has also accused the police of attempting to pressure them into a compromise. They alleged that they were offered money and told that medical reports could be altered if they chose not to pursue the case further. These claims could not be independently verified, and there has been no official response from the police on these specific allegations.
An FIR has been registered in connection with the case, and the family claims that it names 19 individuals as accused. However, they allege that so far only one person, identified as the son of the village head, has been arrested, while the remaining accused continue to move freely. The family has alleged that the lack of further arrests indicates that the police are attempting to shield those involved, possibly due to local influence or political backing. Police officials have said that the investigation is ongoing and that further action will be taken based on evidence.
Khatoon’s husband said that their financial condition has made it difficult for them to pursue justice. “We are poor labourers. No one listens to us. If we had money or influence, things would have been different,” he said, adding that they feel isolated in their efforts to seek accountability. The family also alleged that there is a pattern of social discrimination in the village, claiming that Muslims are often denied equal access to basic services, although these claims could not be independently verified.
Khatoon is survived by three young children, whose condition, according to relatives, has worsened since her death. Family members said the children are struggling emotionally and financially, with the youngest reportedly crying through the night. The family said they are finding it difficult to manage daily expenses, including food.
The family has demanded strict action against all those named in the FIR and has called for a fair and impartial investigation. “Our only demand is justice. All those responsible should be punished,” her husband said.
Authorities have maintained that the investigation is ongoing and that further arrests may follow as more evidence is gathered. However, the gap between the number of accused named in the FIR and the arrests made so far has raised concerns for the family, who say they will continue to seek justice for Khatoon.
