The Kerala High Court has reinstated a PIL urging the State government to consider enacting and implementing ‘The Kerala Prevention of Eradication of Inhuman Evil Practices, Sorcery and Black Magic Bill, 2019’.
The petition, filed by Kerala Yukthi Vadhi Sangham, had initially been dismissed due to the absence of the petitioner’s counsel.
Advocate P.V. Jeevesh, representing the petitioner, explained the reasons for their previous non-appearance, leading to the restoration of the petition by the Court.
The plea was filed by Kerala Yukthi Vadhi Sangham, a registered cultural organization, following two incidents of horrific human sacrifices in Elanthoor, Pathanamthitta. The State Law Reforms Commission, led by Justice K.T. Thomas, had already provided recommendations on the bill to the government in 2019.
According to the petitioner, the State has been witnessing numerous crimes associated with superstitious beliefs. The petition highlighted that “It has come to light several cases of human sacrifices and other types of assaults in connection with the superstitious belief of black magic and witchcraft. For the purposes of God’s grace, financial gains, getting jobs, resolving family problems, the birth of children, and for several other desires, some people are practicing black magic and witchcraft of which people belong to the downtrodden, and the children and women are mostly the victims”.
Previously, the Court had been informed about the State government’s contemplation of legislation against human sacrifice and superstitious practices. In response to a direct query, the State Attorney informed the Court that the government still needs to decide whether to proceed with legislation, and various stages of the legislative process remain pending.
