Kerala seeks public input for law against black magic and superstition

The Kerala government has initiated steps to frame a comprehensive law to curb black magic, sorcery, and inhuman practices , with an expert committee inviting suggestions from the public and stakeholders.

The panel, constituted through a government order issued on November 12, 2025 , has been tasked with recommending legislative measures to address harmful practices carried out in the name of superstition. Officials said the committee is examining the legal, social, and constitutional aspects of such a law.

The three-member committee includes K. Sasidharan Nair , Vice Chairman of the Kerala Law Reforms Commission, and retired IPS officer Jacob Punnoose , among others.

As part of its work, the panel has prepared a provisional list of 34 harmful practices , categorised based on their severity. Category A includes grave offences such as human sacrifice, torture, sexual violence , and denial of essential medical treatment under the guise of occult practices. Category B covers acts involving physical harm, coercion, and degrading treatment , including forced exorcism, witch-branding, and abuse rooted in superstition. Category C focuses on fraud, extortion, and exploitation through false claims of supernatural powers, including fake healing and misleading predictions.

The provisional list has been made available on the website of the Kerala Law Reforms Commission for public reference. The committee has urged individuals, organisations, and other stakeholders to submit their written suggestions by April 27, 2026 .

The proposed legislation aims to tackle a wide range of exploitative practices while ensuring safeguards against misuse . The committee is also reviewing similar laws in other states and examining a draft bill prepared earlier by the Kerala Law Reforms Commission, which was headed by former Supreme Court judge K.T. Thomas .

The initiative comes amid growing concerns over the persistence of superstition-driven practices and the need for stronger legal intervention to protect vulnerable individuals.