The Odisha Prevention of Witch Hunting Bill-2013 was passed in the Assembly on Thursday after a marathon discussion and a few minor amendments. Odisha is the forth State in country to have such legislation.
The Bill provides for effective measures to prohibit the menace of witch hunting and prevent related practices in the State, thereby help tackle the crime.
The Bill was introduced and piloted by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kalpataru Das on behalf of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who holds the Home Department.
As per the statement of objectives of the bill, whoever commits witch hunting or abets or promotes it will be punished with imprisonment of a term which shall not be less than three years, but may extend to seven years in case of death of the victim and fine which shall not be less than Rs10,000. The Bill provides that persons would be prohibited to indentify, accuse or defame a woman calling her as witch. Whoever performs any practice as witch doctor knowingly causing harm or injury to another on whom such practices are applied, will be punished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one year, but may extend to five years or fine which shall not be less than Rs5,000 or both.
The Bill also said person (s) branding a woman as witch, forcing her to drink or eat any inedible substance or parade her with painted face or body or committing any similar acts which are derogatory will be punished with imprisonment for term which shall not be less than one year but may extend to three years with fine. The offence under the law is cognizable and non-bailable.