The Gujarat Assembly unanimously approved the Gujarat Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Bill, 2024, on Wednesday.
The Bill aims to protect people against evil and supernatural practices.
The government highlighted the necessity of the bill, stressing its intent to prohibit the propagation of sinister practices often manipulated by conmen seeking to exploit vulnerable individuals.
“An alarming number of incidences of exploitation of the common people in society because of human sacrifice and other inhuman, Evil and Aghori practices have come to light,” stated Harsh Sanghavi, Minister of State for Home, during the Bill’s introduction. He emphasised the urgency for stringent social and legal measures to combat these harmful and inhuman practices.
Under the new law, if a person found guilty of violating its provisions will be liable to a minimum of six months in prison, which can extend to seven years and a fine ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 50,000. Notably, offences registered under this act will be non-bailable.
The bill, which was unanimously passed by the assembly, said that the government will frame rules governing within 30 days of the act being passed.
In February 2023, a two-month-old baby was rushed to a hospital in Porbandar district after being branded with a hot iron by a local witch doctor, or ‘bhuva’, in an attempt to cure her cough.
In another incident in April 2023, a couple reportedly practising black magic took their own lives using a guillotine-like device.
Gujarat joins a growing list of at least eight states—Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Assam, Maharashtra and Karnataka—that have previously enacted similar laws aimed at curbing such inhumane practices.
Also Read: Gujarat HC Criticises Ahmedabad Traffic Management, Highlights Lack of Visible Improvement
