Law to curb atrocities on women
After reports of atrocities on women who are branded as witches in Chhattisgarh, the Raman Singh government is bringing a legislation soon to make witchcraft a non-bailable offense with a rigorous prison term for five years.
"For the first time Chhattisgarh has come forward in this direction and we have decided to bring in a legislation next week in the monsoon session to stop harassment and atrocities on women in the name of witchcraft," Law Minister Brij Mohan Agrawal told PTI here.
Under this Act, not only the people claiming to be witch doctors, but also those involved in harassing anyone accusing her of being a witch, will be punished, Agrawal said.
The law will cover persons who claim to possess powers of black magic, evil eyes or who claim to be witch doctors, Women and Child Welfare Department sources said.
The state government has also bracketed the persons who identified others as witches under the prepared law with punishment upto three years rigorous imprisonment and fine.
Upto five years rigorous imprisonment and fine will be slapped for harassing women in the name of withcraft as also to punish those who claim to be witch doctors.
Interestingly if anyone claims to be a witch herself, she would be subjected to one year imprisonment and fine, the sources said adding every offence would be treated as cognizable and non-bailable.
This legislation is being enacted by the state government on instructions from the National Commission for Women which had conducted open hearing in many parts of the state on the issue recently.
Courtesy:
The article of Sri PRAKASH C HOTA
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