Emphasis on Strict Action Against Witch-Hunting and Rehabilitation of Victims; Voices Raised at Judicial Colloquium
Ranchi, April 25, 2026:
Strong emphasis was placed on curbing rising crimes against women in Jharkhand—particularly grave social issues such as 'Dayan Pratha' (witch-hunting)—and on strengthening the rehabilitation of victims. A significant colloquium addressing this issue was organized on Saturday at the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Auditorium of the Jharkhand Judicial Academy.
Justice Vikram Nath, a Judge of the Supreme Court and Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), attended the event as the Chief Guest. He was joined by Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah, who attended as a Distinguished Guest. Additionally, several judicial officers were present, including the Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court, Justice Mahesh Sharadchandra Sonak, and Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad.
Justice Vikram Nath stated that Articles 14, 15, and 21 of the Constitution grant women the rights to equality, freedom from discrimination, and a life of dignity; however, there remains a significant gap in the actual implementation of these rights. He clarified that crimes against women are the result of deep-seated structural problems within society, where violence has come to be normalized. Describing the prevalent practice of witch-hunting in Jharkhand as both inhumane and a severe form of gender-based violence, he asserted that its eradication requires a concerted effort involving education, healthcare services, and a robust law-and-order framework.
The colloquium also underscored that justice must not be confined merely to the imposition of punishment; rather, the rehabilitation of victims must be placed at the very center of the process. Legal service institutions were urged to establish a reach down to the village level and play an active role in ensuring that victims receive legal aid, awareness support, and financial compensation.
Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah observed that the greatest challenge in curbing crimes against women lies not in the laws themselves, but in their effective implementation. He noted that strict adherence to Supreme Court guidelines, coupled with the active engagement of legal institutions at the district level, could lead to a significant reduction in such cases.
The vote of thanks for the first session of the program was delivered by Umashankar Singh, Secretary of the Department of Women, Child Development, and Social Welfare. During the second session, experts offered their suggestions regarding various legal and technical aspects of the issue. During this time, financial assistance was also provided to women from voluntary organizations, families of accident victims, and a woman suffering from breast cancer.
