Updated By: LatestGKGS Desk
President Ram Nath Kovind approved Assam's anti-witch hunting bill 2015
President Ram Nath Kovind approved Assam's Witch Hunting 'Prohibition, Prevention and Protection' Bill 2015: Detail Highlights
President Ram Nath Kovind has approved Assam's Witch Hunting (Prohibition, Prevention, and Protection) Bill, 2015 passed by State Assembly in August 2015.
This law aims to reign in rising incidents of witch hunting cases across the state. It was prepared in lines with a spirit of the universal declaration of human rights, crimes in witch hunting cases cause the gross violation of basic human rights.
Key Highlights
The law aims to eliminate superstition from society by making such offenses under it as non-bailable, non-compoundable and cognizable.
It prohibits any person from calling, identifying or defaming any other person as a witch by words, signs, conducts or indications. State Government has already notified the Act.
It prescribes stringent punishment if anybody found guilty. It imposes up to 7 years of jail and fine up to 5 lakh rupees. This provision will come as per Section 302 (punishment for murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) if someone is killed after being branded a witch.
It also proposes a sentence of 3 years imprisonment if anybody blames a person for natural disasters in a particular locality such as floods, droughts, illness or any death. Cases and offenses registered under this law will undergo trial in Special courts which will be set up in consultation with the high court.
