GUWAHATI: The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind has given his consent to the Assam Witch Hunting (Prohibition, Prevention and Protection) Bill, 2015.
The Bill was drafted to eliminate the superstitious practices and killings in the name of witch-hunting in the State.
As per the Bill, "Every offence under this Act shall be cognizable, non-bailable and non-compoundable within the meaning of the code."
It is to be mentioned that the State Government of Assam has already notified the Act. The Bill was unanimously passed by the State Assembly in 2015.
As per the State Government’s earlier notification, the punishment for leading a person to commit suicide after intimidating, stigmatising, defaming and accusing as witch may be extended to life imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh.
The Centre had also sought clarifications on penal provisions from the State before it was sent for the President’s assent.