In the aftermath of Dabholkar's murder, the resulting bill was promulgated on 26 August 2013, and was formally introduced in the winter session of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly in Nagpur in December 2013.

[4] The law directs the appointment and training of vigilance officers, to investigate and report these crimes to the local police station.

The ruling Indian National Congress (INC) government faced criticism from the lack of debate from the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena.

Protesters, including the Art of Living Foundation and Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) claimed the bill gave the police power to search, seize or arrest on mere suspicion.

Shyam Manav, president, Akhil Bharatiya Andhshraddha Nirmulan Samiti (ABANS), a major force behind the Bill, refuted these claims: "Under IPC, if anyone is obstructing the work of cops, he can be punished.

"[12] At the rally a spokesperson for Janajagruti Samiti, Ramesh Shinde, said that the bill was redundant, violated religious freedom and did not acknowledge divine power.

[17] On 5 April 2011, Dabholkar, talking at a press conference, criticised television programmes promoting superstitions and called for the bill to be passed.

[18] On 7 April 2011, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Ajit Pawar stated that the bill will be introduced in the budget session while responding to MLA Chainsukh Sancheti's queries about child sacrifices.

They started a telegram-sending campaign to draw attention to the issues and also urged local leaders to send telegrams to the Chief Minister.

[22] On 4 September 2013, the ordinance was used for the first time to arrest two individuals in the Nanded district, who had advertised miracles cures for AIDS, cancer and diabetes in a newspaper.

In the aftermath of Dabholkar's murder, Journalist Ellen Barry wrote an article for The New York Times (NYT) about the murder and interviewed a sociologist at the University of Pune about the bill, who explained that the bill had been continually watered down over the years, due to rising opposition from a few Hindus and stating:What today stands as the draft legislation is a much mellowed-down position.

[37]In the lines of the Maharashtra Anti-Superstition and Black Magic Act, the State of Karnataka also passed the bill in 2017 was notified in 2020.

In Gujarat the Public Interest Litigation was filed seeking directions to curb inhuman and aghori practices being violative of Fundamental rights of citizens.

After issuance of notice, the Gujarat Government had filed the reply before the Court stating that they will move the bill before the assembly.