High Court to hear plea on ‘black magic’

The Kerala High Court will hear an appeal filed by the Kerala Yukthivadi Sangham seeking a directive to the State Government to take a decision on the recommendation of the State Law Reforms Commission for the enactment of the Kerala Eradication of Inhuman Evil Practices, Sorcery, and Black Magic Bill today.

The Kerala HC’s division bench, comprising Chief Justice S Manikumar, will be considering the plea. The petition contended that the central government at the national level or the state government at the state level might pass legislation on the model of the legislation passed in Maharashtra regarding the anti-superstition bill in 2013.

The petitioner also sought that all the cases of disappearances that have occurred in the state in the last fifty years be re-investigated by forming a special investigation team.

The petition also submitted that it may also implement the Justice KT Thomas Commission report recommending the implementation of the Anti-Superstition Act.

It further submitted that “Ban advertisements exploiting superstitions in media such as newspapers and social media. Prohibition of telefilms, series, and films on the theme of witchcraft and sorcery, which are not intended for social good and have no artistic value. There may be an order to ban witchcraft and sorcery. Implement the existing Drugs and Magic Remedies objectionable advertisements act passed in 1954 in the country. ”

It also sought a police search and the closure of all existing witchcraft centres in Kerala.