Witchcraft Allegation (Offense and Punishment) Act, 2015

Chapter-4

Punishment and Compensation

11. Punishment: (1) A person who commits an offence relating to witchcraft accusation under the following clauses of sub-section (1) of Section 3 shall, depending on the gravity of the offence, be punished as follows:-

(a) A person who commits an offence under clause (a) shall be liable to imprisonment for six months to two years and a fine of five thousand to twenty thousand rupees,

(b) A person who commits an offence under clause (b) or (c) shall be liable to imprisonment for one year to three years and a fine of ten thousand to thirty thousand rupees,

(c) A person who commits an offence under clause (d) or (e) shall be liable to imprisonment for two years to five years and a fine of twenty thousand to fifty thousand rupees,

(d) A person who commits an offence under clause (f) shall be liable to imprisonment for three years to seven years and a fine of thirty thousand to seventy-five thousand rupees,

(e) A person who commits an offence under clause (g) shall be liable to imprisonment for five years to eight years and a fine of fifty thousand to one hundred thousand rupees,

(f) A person who commits an offence under clause (h) shall be liable to an additional ten percent punishment in addition to the punishment provided under the prevailing law,

(g) A person who commits an offence under clause (j) shall be liable to half the punishment provided for the principal offender.

(2) A person who commits an offence under sub-section (2) of Section 3 shall be liable to imprisonment for six months to two years and a fine of five thousand to twenty thousand rupees.

(3) If a person who has already been punished for an offence relating to witchcraft accusation again commits the same offence, he/she shall be liable to double the punishment for each subsequent offence.

(4) If any person commits an offence relating to witchcraft accusation against a person under his/her protection or guardianship, or if any person holding a public accountability office commits an offence relating to witchcraft accusation, such person shall be liable to an additional twenty-five percent punishment in addition to the punishment provided under sub-section (1).

(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-sections (3) and (4), no person shall be punished for an offence relating to witchcraft accusation at one time exceeding fifteen years.

(6) If any person breaks, misappropriates or causes damage or loss to any person's property under witchcraft accusation and causes loss, such person shall be punished under clause (a) of sub-section (1) and shall also be ordered to pay to the victim an amount equal to such loss from such person.

(7) If any person fails to comply with an order given by the court under Section 10, or if any person obstructs or opposes the work or action relating to the investigation and inquiry of an offence relating to witchcraft accusation, such person may be liable to a fine of thirty thousand to fifty thousand rupees or imprisonment for three months to nine months or both.

(8) Notwithstanding anything contained elsewhere in this Section, if any person commits an offence contrary to this Act, and under the prevailing law a greater punishment is provided than that provided in this Section, the punishment under such law shall apply.