512 FIRs lodged against superstition in 5 years: Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti

The superstitious activities ranging from animal sacrifices, miracles, witchcraft, paranormal claims, are still prevant across Maharashtra. The Members of Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS) have claimed that on one hand, people are increasingly becoming aware, on the other, the educated people are falling prey to greedy godmen.

After the Anti-Superstition and Black Magic Act has been enforced, members of MANS have lodged more than 512 FIRs across the state and close to 15 cases have witnessed conviction from 2013 till 2019. State executive president of MANS, Avinash Patil said that out of the total cases relating to black magic and aghori practices, only 10% cases are seen on paper.

Advocate Trupti Patil, joint secretary of legal development cell of MANS said, "About 512 FIRs have been registered in which other sections of IPC and other acts are too included. The rate of convictions is fast but much more needs to be done."