ABSTRACT
The word witchcraft is coined from the words wicce meaning witch and craft meaning skill. It is the practice and belief in magical abilities to do the impossible and the person professing this skill is called a witch. More often, women are accused of witchcraft. Flogging, banishing, rape, murder and social ostracisation are the illegal punishments meted out. In rural India, they are called by names like Dayan, Tonahi, etc. Most of the cases of such crimes occur on suspicion of practising witchcraft. It exists in several parts of tribal regions and rural India despite the existence of state-level laws enacted to curb this inhuman practice of witch-hunting. People become victims due to the ineffective implementation of the existing laws. Weak enforcement, superstitions, illiteracy and absence of a robust national law are the reasons among many, contributing to persistent witch-hunting cases. A stringent national legal framework is needed to prevent it, protect the vulnerable community and ensure justice.
