The Left government in Kerala has told the High Court that it will not proceed to enact a law to ban black magic, sorcery, and other inhuman practices, citing a policy decision made by the State Cabinet.

In an affidavit filed before a Division Bench of Kerala High Court, headed by Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar, Kerala said a draft bill titled ‘The Kerala Prevention and Eradication of Inhuman Evil Practices, Sorcery and Black Magic Bill, 2022’ had been prepared based on recommendations from the Law Reforms Commission.

The dark alleys of voodoo: practitioners of black arts emerging as a social concern in Kerala

However, after deliberations, the Council of Ministers decided on July 5, 2023, not to go ahead with the legislation, it said.

The government submitted that while the court may have noted the social concerns raised in the PIL, it cannot compel the legislature to pass a law.