The Supreme Court has upheld the life imprisonment sentence of a man convicted of killing a woman in Odisha in 1998 after branding her a witch, warning that such superstition-driven violence cannot be allowed to escape the rule of law.
A bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and NV Anjaria dismissed an appeal filed by Balku Oram against the Odisha High Court’s September 2022 judgment, which had upheld his conviction and life sentence.
The Court said violence against women in the name of witchcraft continues in parts of society, where superstition, prejudice and irrational fear can override constitutional values.
The bench observed that if such practices continue to evade the rule of law and constitutional morality, “constitutional democracy cannot survive”.
Woman dragged out of house and beaten
According to the prosecution, a girl died in a village in Odisha’s Sundargarh district in February 1998. A family member alleged that the girl’s death was caused by the victim woman’s witchcraft.
Following the allegation, Oram and another accused allegedly dragged the woman out of her house and assaulted her. She died in the attack, which was witnessed by her daughter.
An FIR was registered on the daughter’s complaint. The trial court convicted the accused of murder and other offences, a decision later upheld by the Odisha High Court.
Daughter’s testimony proved crucial
The Supreme Court said the direct evidence against Oram was strong and that the daughter’s testimony consistently described the manner of the assault and the weapons used.
The bench held that a conviction can be based solely on the testimony of a reliable eyewitness, noting that the quality of evidence matters more than the number of witnesses.
It also rejected the argument that the daughter should be treated as a biased witness because she was a close relative of the victim, observing that a relative can also be a natural witness.
Court warns against superstition-driven violence
The Supreme Court said branding someone a witch does not merely lead to murder but can also result in torture, assault, sexual violence and social ostracisation, particularly targeting vulnerable women.
The bench said superstition and fear can turn women into scapegoats when society seeks an easy explanation for difficult circumstances.
Emphasising the importance of reason and scientific temper, the Court said rational thinking is a strong defence against collective irrationality.
The bench also referred to Dr BR Ambedkar’s vision of a just and sensitive society, and said the case should serve as a reminder that justice must prevail over superstition and irrational beliefs.
