Boy lynched over suspicion of stealing goats in Odisha

A 15-year-old was allegedly beaten to death by villagers, who accused the victim of stealing goats in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district. Another boy was battling for life following the attack.

Odisha police arrested 12 persons on allegation of lynching the boy and injuring another one.

Villagers of Indukudi were incensed over regular vanishing of goats. When the victims were passing by motor cycle, they were caught hold of and asked about stolen goats, police said on Tuesday (March 3, 2026).

The villagers of Indukudi were incensed over regular disappearance of goats. They stopped the victims, both from Bhutkabadi village, who were passing by on a motorcycle and questioned them. The boys were tied up. Subsequently, the villagers convened a meeting. A resolution was taken declaring them guilty of theft.

The villagers then thrashed the two boys with sticks. When the police rescued the victims, they were in a critical condition.