THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government is planning to bring ‘The Kerala Prevention and Eradication of Inhuman Evil Practices, Sorcery, and Black Magic Bill’ after eight years of red tape. The bill might be introduced in the legislative assembly in January. The government is also planning to bring an ordinance before it.

Meanwhile, Home secretary, V Venu, Law secretary, V Hari Nair, and Law Reform Commission Vice Chairman, K Sasidharan Nair, conveyed a meeting and appointed a sub-committee for the same.

As the bill concerns the people, suggestions came up that the bill must be passed only after the public opinion is known. As there is a delay in getting public opinion, the government is planning to bring an ordinance. The final decision will be taken only after the Chief Minister’s return from his foreign trips. The sub-committee is entrusted with preparing the draft.

Kerala Kaumudi had reported, earlier, that the draft bill was engulfed in red tape for the last eight years.

The sub-committee will decide on the changes to the draft bill prepared in 2014. Only after the CM’s approval of the draft bill will the law department prepare the final bill.

The Home Department made it clear that it has to study the draft bill in detail. The draft bill has excluded harmless customs and rituals in religious places.

The draft of the ‘Kerala Prevention and Eradication of Inhuman Evil Practices, Sorcery, and Black Magic Bill’ stipulates the death penalty for deaths during black magic and seven years for indulging in these practices.

If anyone is found promoting superstitions and evil practices, then they can be punished for one year and extended to seven years

Fine up to Rs.50,000 can be levied. If death occurs the accused will be charged under IPC 300 for murder, which can get the death penalty.

Advertisements that promote superstitions and evil practices will also be punished according to the draft bill.

If a company is responsible for the crime, then those who are connected with it will be penalized. The police will have the right to search the place where the cheating took place and can confiscate the documents.

Harmless practices and customs that are conducted in religious places of worship are kept out of the purview of the bill.

The government must educate the public against superstition and also give counseling and treatment to the victims.