SC orders broadcast of messages against mob lynching

The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Union government and all states to broadcast messages on television, radio and other media platforms stating anyone involved in mob lynching or cow vigilantism would be dealt with severely under the law.

A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud said its directions issued on July 17 should be complied with “absolutely religiously” within a week.

“It has to be borne in mind that the said direction was issued so that people would realise the gravity of their act and the effect on the law and order situation. The said purpose has to be put on the high pedestal and people must realise that involving in such kind of activities will invite the wrath of law,” the bench said.

The court gave its direction after senior advocate Indira Jaising, representing Tushar Gandhi, contended the orders passed earlier for taking preventive measures have not been complied with.

Attorney General K K Venugopal and Tushar Mehta, representing the Union government, submitted that it would be done within a week.

The court also directed the states should put their action taken reports on the respective websites for “creating peace and harmony in the society and deterring individuals who take the law into their own hands”. It also gave a week's time to those states which did not so far file their compliance report to do it within a week.

During the hearing, the court allowed senior advocate Sanjay R Hegde, representing activist Tehseen Poonawalla, who had filed a PIL in the matter, to prepare a chart indicating how many victims of mob lynching and cow vigilantism have not been provided with any compensation. It asked the states and the Union Territories to file its response to the statement within a week.

The court was informed that states of Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Tripura, Assam, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar and two Union Territories, namely, Lakshadweep and Puducherry had filed the compliance reports to the judgement.