Plea before Kerala HC seeking laws to curb superstitious practices like black magic.

Case: Kerala Yukthi Vadi Sanghom v Union of India and others

Kerala Yukthi Vadi Sanghom filed a petition before the Kerala High Court seeking directions to the State government to enact a law to curb superstitious practices like black magic.

The petition sought action against TV makers and over-the-top (OTT) shows promoting superstition, including sorcery.

The plea was filed after the recent incident of human sacrifice in Kerala, where two women were killed and their bodies dismembered.

The plea argued that the State constantly witnessed crimes concerning superstitious beliefs. They also highlighted reports of similar incidents that occurred from 1955 to 2022.

Although the petitioner organization had approached the government at both the Center and the State several times, no attention has been paid to the issue, according to the plea, preferring several mass petitions and submitting model bills for the statute, seeking an adequate enactment of a law to combat and eradicate human sacrifice, evil, and sinister practices.

The petitioner submitted that though some bills were introduced in the legislative assembly, none became law.

In light of the above, the plea sought directions to the State government to enact a law prohibiting the practice of sorcery, black magic, witchcraft, and other inhuman practices. Further, to consider and decide on the recommendation of the Law Reforms Commission report of 2019, submitted by Justice KT Thomas concerning the enactment of The Kerala Prevention of Eradication of Inhuman Evil Practices, Sorcery and Black Magic Bill, 2019.

The matter will be heard by a bench headed by Chief Justice S Manikumar.