Cow vigilantism: Lynching a crime, states must take measures, says SC
New Delhi, Jul 3 (IBNS) : In a sternm message against violence in the name of cow vigilantism, the Supreme Court on Tuesday said such crimes can not happen by the remotest chance and it is obligatory on the states to prevent such incidents.
The apex court, while hearing a contempt petition filed by activist Tehseen Poonawall, seeking order to the states to prevent lynchings and violence by cow vigilantes, observed that the instances of vigilantism was actually mob violence, which is a crime.
The bench, led by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, reserved its order which will be pronounced later.
The other membes of the bench are Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud
"Lynchings and mob violence cannot happen by the remotest chance. It is the obligation of the States to see that such crimes are prevented," CJI Misra said.
The top court said that nobody will be allowed to take law into their hands. "A victim is a victim," it said in a warning against directing ob violence against any particular religion or caste.
“Whether there is a law or not... nobody should be allowed to take law into their hands,” the CJI said.
“Let us not confine ourselves to any pattern or motive... All these incidents are instances of mob violence,” he said.
The CJI asked the Centre to frame a scheme under Article 256 to give directions to States to prevent/control the instances and maintain law and order.
Additional Solicitor General P S Narasimha said the Centre was alive to the situation and trying to deal with it. He said the main concern was maintaining law and order.
On September 6, 2017, the Supreme Court had asked all the states to take stern measures to stop violence in the name of cow protection, including appointing of senior police officers as nodal officer in every district within a week and acting promptly to check cow vigilantes from behaving like they are "law unto themselves"
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