India, Nov. 8 -- The Odisha Law Commission has recommended sweeping amendments to the Odisha Witch Hunting (Prohibition, Prevention and Protection) Act, 2013, proposing a tougher, more enforceable, and a victim-centred law to tackle the brutal practice that continues to claim lives across tribal and rural belts.

The proposed legislation - to be called the Odisha Witch Hunting (Prohibition, Prevention and Protection) Amendment Act, 2025 - seeks to plug glaring loopholes in the existing law by prescribing stricter punishments, mandating victim rehabilitation and compensation, and establishing district-level task forces to monitor implementation and awareness campaigns.

The Law Commission's recommendation to the state government in Septemb...