Keonjhar, Nov 11: Owing to the Odisha Prevention of Witch-hunting Act, the Keonjhar district and Session court announced its first conviction as part of the act’s enactment and gave out life imprisonment to 3 persons on charge of a double murder and gang rape, just because they suspected that the victim practiced witchcraft in Kolhahundula under Joda police limits here. It’s stated that the three accused have been given life term imprisonment for murder, 2 years for attempt to murder, 20 years for committing gang-rape and 7 years as per the Odisha Prevention of Witch-hunting Act. Two other culprits were acquitted by the court as there was a lack of evidence against them. This was informed to the media by Crime Branch lawyer, Ashwini Patnaik.
Notably on Nov 30 in the year 2014, a couple was murdered over suspicion of practicing witchcraft and their minor daughter was gang raped.
