Lawlessness In Bengal? Khap Panchayat Orders Beheading, Settles For Chopped Fingers Over Black Magic Allegations

A quasi-judicial institution called Shalishi Sabha in West Bengal's Birbhum district on Wednesday (10 October) penalised a man for allegedly practising sorcery by cutting off all his fingers.

Accused of practising black magic, the victim Fandi Sardar was complained about by the residents of Radhakeshtopur village, after which Shalishi Sabha was called that found him guilty and initially ordered that he be executed by beheading.

The severity of the punishment was later reduced, and his life was spared, but all ten fingers of his hands were chopped off. Police have registered a suo motu case (a legal situation where an act of authority is taken without formal prompting from another party), and have launched a manhunt for the accused who are absconding since the incident became known to public, as reported by The Indian Express.

Shalishi Sabhas are legally unrecognised institutions that are ruled by powerful local men that have gained notoriety. Similar to Khap Panchayats, they order harsh punishments from gang rape to public execution based on superstitious customs and blind traditions.