Bhubaneswar: Odisha Government planning to bring new law to counter to counter superstition and black magic related crimes in the state. Persons are to be prohibited to identify, accuse or defame a woman calling her a witch or to practise any witchcraft under this new law.

The cabinet has given a nod to the proposal. The law will come into effect after the bill is passed in the state legislative assembly. This was decided at the cabinet meeting presided over by CM Naveen Patnaik which was held on Monday afternoon to discuss about the bill. According to the proposal, the offenders violating the law will be prosecuted with severe punishment.

While the minimum imprisonment has been kept at 1 year, the maximum is 3 years. Besides, imposing a minimum fine of Rs 5000 has been proposed. In case of committing the crime again, the offender will be liable to 7 years or imprisonment or a fine of Rs10000 or both. The offenders shall not be given bail.

The proposal was introduced by the Department of Home Affairs before the cabinet. The High Court had earlier directed the state government to bring in legislation to tackle witch-hunting. Considering the rising cases of witch-hunting and black magic in several places especially in tribal regions, there is a need for an anti-sorcery law.