A criminal case vide FIR No. 43/2015 was registered in the matter on the 20th March, 2015 at Police Station Pakri Barwan, u/s 143, 147, 149, 323, 341, 342, 365, IPC and Section 3,4 of Prevention of Witchcraft Practices Act.

However, there was no information about the arrest of any accused in the matter nor any reasons provided for not invoking the provisions of the SC/ST Act. The whereabouts of the mother of the petitioner alleged to have been killed were also being ascertained.According to a press release issued by NHRC, Justice D. Murugesan, Member, NHRC observed that the allegations, if true, were disturbing that in a civilised society, governed by the rule of law, the evil practices like witchcraft were still in practice. The Commission has issued notices to the District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police, Navada, Bihar calling for a complete report related to the incident, including the arrest of the accused, within four weeks failing which, they will have to appear before it on the 22nd May, 2015.

The Commission also lauded its team of officers and the local police who got their act together in no time and managed to release a person in captivity of some people.

The cognizance of the matter was taken on the basis of a complaint received from the son of Vishnu Dev on the 20th March, 2015 alleging that some villagers, in connivance with the local MLA, had killed his mother suspecting that she practiced witch craft. He also alleged that they had confined his father at Village Badhona, Post Konandpur, Police Station Pakri Barawan, District Navada, Bihar for the last two days.

He apprehended that life of his father was in danger as they were not allowed to approach the police. He requested immediate intervention of the Commission to save his father’s life and take action against the accused, who had killed his mother.

The Commission, on the same day, got in touch with the concerned police officials, who rescued his father, Vishnu Dev Ravidas and brought him to the police station.