Patna: The Bihar Human Rights Commission
(BHRC) has taken serious note of women being killed or
subjected to harassment and torture on false charges of
practising witchcraft and asked the Director General of Police
to expedite such pending cases soon.
BHRC member justice (retired) Rajendra Prasad in his
order observed that such cases are "worst types of violation
of human rights of women".
The DGP should instruct the SPs of all the districts to
expedite investigation/trial of pending cases relating to
offences under Prevention of Witch (Daain) Hunting Act 1999
and further submit district-wise list of such cases pending in
districts to enable the Commission to decide further course of
action in the interest of protection of the worst type of
violation of human rights of women within three months, he
said.
The Commission had taken cognisance of a report submitted
by an NGO (Bihar Women`s Network) and decided to issue the
instructions.
He further said there was a necessity of spreading human
rights literacy among various sections of society and promote
awareness of the safeguards available for the protection of
these rights through publications and encourage the efforts of
NGOs and institutions working in the field of human rights.
The Bihar Women`s Network with its base in Bihar,
Jharkhand, Odisha , Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh pointed out
that there 177 pending cases under the Prevention of Witch
Hunting Act 1999 in Bihar.
PTI
