Landmark Verdict: 10 Individuals Sentenced to Life Imprisonment in Assam Witch-Hunting Case

In a significant development, the Kamrup district sessions judge’s court handed down life imprisonment sentences to 10 individuals, including four women, in a witch-hunting case that took place almost 15 years ago. The incident occurred on September 5, 2009, near the Assam-Meghalaya border in Palashbari, where a couple was allegedly set ablaze by a group on suspicion of witchcraft.

The court convicted individuals including Sondev Rabha, Prasen Rabha, Niku Rabha, Niranjan Rabha, Bipul Rabha, Fatik Kachari, Bicky Rabha, Urmila Rabha, Malaya Rabha, and Jaymati Rabha, imposing a fine of Rs 20,000 on each under sections 302 and 201/34 of the Indian Penal Code.

The victims’ son expressed satisfaction with the verdict, revealing that the family had been seeking the convict’s execution and had faced threats from the perpetrators. In a related move, the state cabinet approved the Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practices Bill, 2024, aiming to curb magical healing practices. The bill proposes strict penalties, including imprisonment and fines, for individuals engaged in illegal acts under the guise of magical healing, specifically targeting the exploitation of vulnerable populations under the pretext of treating congenital conditions.