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Supreme Court witch-hunting case (Img Ai Generated)
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has observed that a constitutional democracy cannot survive if regressive practices such as witch-hunting and persecution of women continue in violation of the rule of law and constitutional values.
The apex court upheld the conviction and life imprisonment sentence of an accused involved in the brutal killing of a woman in Odisha in 1998. The court noted that branding women as witches and subjecting them to violence reflects deep-rooted superstition and discriminatory practices that have no place in a modern constitutional society.
The case relates to an incident in Odisha in 1998, where the convict, along with another accused, allegedly dragged a woman out of her house after accusing her of being a witch.
The woman was brutally assaulted and later succumbed to her injuries. The incident was witnessed by her daughter, an aspect that the Supreme Court highlighted while expressing deep concern over the trauma caused by such violence.
A bench comprising Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice N.V. Anjaria stated that the facts of the case had deeply disturbed the conscience of the Court.
The bench remarked that the victim was a helpless woman who was labelled a witch and subjected to a horrific attack, causing unimaginable suffering to her family.
The Supreme Court emphasized that the Indian Constitution envisions a society founded on equality, fraternity and scientific temper.
The bench observed that practices that degrade and target women must be eliminated, adding that a constitutional democracy cannot allow such discriminatory traditions to continue in defiance of constitutional morality and legal principles.
The court stressed that justice must prevail over superstition and irrational beliefs, and expressed hope that the judgment would serve as a reminder against such harmful social practices.
The judgment was delivered on an appeal filed by Balku Oram, who had challenged the Odisha High Court’s decision of September 2022.
The High Court had earlier upheld the trial court’s verdict convicting Oram and awarding him life imprisonment. After examining the case, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal and confirmed the sentence.
The court’s observations underline the need for stronger awareness and social reform to prevent crimes committed in the name of superstition and protect vulnerable sections of society.
