The expert committee was constituted following a Kerala High Court directive on a public interest litigation filed by the Kerala Yukthivadi Sangham in the wake of the human sacrifice in Elanthoor, Pathanamthitta
Thiruvananthapuram: An expert committee has submitted a draft law to the Kerala government proposing a ban on black magic, sorcery and inhuman evil practices. The proposed legislation identifies 22 offences and prescribes punishments ranging from imprisonment of up to three years to life imprisonment, in addition to penalties under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The expert committee was constituted following a Kerala High Court directive on a public interest litigation filed by the Kerala Yukthivadi Sangham in the wake of the human sacrifice in Elanthoor, Pathanamthitta.
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K. Sasidharan Nair, Vice-Chairman of the Law Reforms Commission and former Law Secretary, and former DGP Jacob Punnoose are members of the committee.
The committee said the ‘Anti-Black Magic, Sorcery and Inhuman Evil Practices Bill’ was drafted taking into consideration the constitutional protection afforded to freedom of religion.
Crimes in three categories
The proposed law categorises the offences based on their severity.
Human sacrifice, burying people alive and other acts resulting in death: Life imprisonment.
Causing grievous hurt or maiming, sexual assault or rape in the name of ritualistic practices, and administering harmful substances: Imprisonment of up to 10 years and a fine.
Assault in the name of exorcism, administering intoxicating substances, using human or animal excreta, insulting women in the name of superstition, extorting money or jewellery, denying treatment for serious illnesses, forcing abortions and threatening people by claiming supernatural powers: Imprisonment of up to seven years and a fine.
Propagation also proposed as an offence
The proposed law also makes it an offence to promote or publicise individuals who claim to possess supernatural powers and offer to perform black magic or sorcery. Such promotion through digital media and online platforms would also come under the provision and could attract imprisonment of up to three years.
District-level investigation teams proposed
The committee has proposed setting up a special investigation team in every district to probe offences covered by the law. The team would be headed by a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP).
A state-level monitoring committee, comprising the ADGP and the Director General of Prosecution, has also been proposed to oversee the implementation of the law.
Published: 25 Sept 2026, 08:04 am IST
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