NHRC seeks report on murder of woman over suspected witchcraft

Acting swiftly on a complaint, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) helped rescue a Dalit, Vishnu Dev Ravidas, from the clutches of some persons who had allegedly killed his wife suspecting that she practised witchcraft in Navada in Bihar.
A case in this connection was registered on March 20 at Police Station Pakri Barwan.
"Justice D Murugesan, Member of NHRC, observed that the allegations, if true, were disturbing that in a civilised society, governed by the rule of law, evil practices like witchcraft were still in practice," the Commission said in a statement.
The Commission has issued notices to the District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police, Navada, Bihar calling for a complete report on the incident and immediate arrest of the accused within four weeks, failing which, they will have to appear before it on May 22.

The Commission also lauded its team of officers and the local police who got their act together in no time and managed to release a person in captivity of some people.
The cognizance of the matter was taken on the basis of a complaint received from the son of Vishnu Dev on March 20 alleging that some villagers, in connivance with the local MLA, had killed his mother suspecting that she practiced witchcraft.
He also alleged that they had confined his father at Village Badhona, Post Konandpur, Police Station Pakri Barawan, District Navada, Bihar for the last two days. He apprehended that life of his father was in danger as they were not allowed to approach the police. He requested immediate intervention of the Commission to save his father's life and take action against the accused, who had killed his mother.

The Commission, on the same day, got in touch with the concerned police officials, who rescued his father, Vishnu Dev Ravidas and brought him to the police station.