Woman assault case: HC directs state to file status report in a week

Legal Correspondent

Shimla, November 11

Expressing serious concern over torturing an old woman of Samahal village in Sarkaghat, Mandi, on the suspicion of her being a sorceress, the High Court today directed the government to file a status report within a week.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice L Narayana Swamy and Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua passed this order on a petition taken up suo motu by the court as a PIL petition on the basis of news items published in various newspapers highlighting this issue.

It was reported in the media that an old woman, who was mistook as a sorceress, thrashed and paraded through the village in Sarkaghat with blackened face and shoes’ garland by religious fanatics. It was also reported that she was threatened to face the wrath of the local deity if she approacheed the police.

Seeking a report from the state authorities, the court listed the matter for further hearing on November 18.