Bill to Ban Human Sacrifice and Black Magic Practices

On 21st August, 2024, the Gujarat government unanimously passed the "Prevention and Abolition of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Evil and Cruel Practices, Black Magic Bill, 2024" in the state assembly.

This legislative action follows a Gujarat High Court inquiry into a public interest litigation (PIL) that called for an end to black magic and superstitious rituals, including human sacrifice.
The act imposes penalties ranging from six months to seven years in prison and fines between Rs 5,000 and Rs 50,000. Aiding, abetting, or attempting to commit such offenses is also punishable under the law.
The act criminalizes various practices associated with superstition and black magic, such as human sacrifice, claiming to perform miracles, and acts causing harm under the guise of removing possession or curses.
Gujarat becomes the seventh Indian state to enact such a law, joining Maharashtra, Karnataka, Odisha, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Assam.