Anti-Superstition and Black Magic Act
The Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice, other Inhuman and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013 is a criminal law act for the state of Maharashtra, India, originally drafted by anti-superstition activist and the founder of Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS), Narendra Dabholkar (1945-2013) in 2003. The act criminalises practices related to black magic, human sacrifices, use of magic remedies to cure ailments and other such acts which may exploit people's superstitions.
| Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice other Inhuman and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013 | |
|---|---|
| Legislative Assembly | |
| Citation | Maharashtra Act No. XXX of 2013 |
| Territorial extent | Maharashtra |
| Passed by | Legislative Assembly |
| Passed | 13 December 2013 |
| Passed by | Legislative Council |
| Passed | 18 December 2013 |
| Assented to | 20 December 2013 |
| Legislative history | |
| First chamber: Legislative Assembly | |
| Bill title | Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice, other Inhuman, and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Bill, 2013 |
| Introduced by | Shivajirao Moghe |
| Introduced | 11 December 2013 |
| Related legislation | |
| Maharashtra Ordinance No. XIV of 2013 | |
| Status: In force | |
The list of banned activities was continually reduced over the years. In the aftermath of Dabholkar's murder, the resulting bill was promulgated on 26 August 2013, and was formally introduced in the winter session of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly in Nagpur in December 2013.