NHRC issues notice to Korba authorities on assault on woman

National Human Rights Commission today issued notices to the authorities of Korba district of Chhattisgarh in connection with alleged assault on a woman on suspicion of practicing witchcraft.
According to an NHRC statement issued today, the Commission has served notices in this regard to the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police, Korba, Chhattisgarh calling for reports within two weeks.
Notices were issued after the Commission took suo motu cognizance of a media report carried on February 15 that a 65-year-old woman was subjected to brutal beating and her head was also shaved as she was suspected to be practicing witchcraft in Korba district of Chhattisgarh.

The Commission observed that the contents of the media report, if true, amount to serious violation of human rights of women.
The Superintendent of Police has also been directed to inform as to whether any case has been registered under Section 354(b) of the IPC in the matter, the statement said.