Experts divided over SC verdict on mob lynching, vigilantism

The Supreme Court judgment asking the Parliament today to come out with a law to deal with the alarming rise in cases of mob lynching and vigilantism has legal experts divided on the issue with some saying it is a "good step" to deal with the "new emerging problems", while others stressing for implementation of existing laws.

Former Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi and senior advocate Ajit Kr Sinha said the specific law and order issue like lynching which has affected India's international image has to be tackled with a "special" and "deterrent" law.

However, senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi said making laws after laws was not the solution as there were already enough laws in the country and the main issue is about their implementation.

"Mob lynching is basically a murder and it will be dealt under IPC. Will power is required to implement the laws otherwise we will go on making laws," Dwivedi said.

Rohatgi, who hailed the apex court's judgment which said "horrendous acts of mobocracy" cannot be allowed to overrun the law of the land, opined that though there were provisions under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the focus has to be given to the specific problems.

"It's a good step. The problem has reached to an alarming proportion. A lot of people have died recently due to these crimes. It is affecting India's image in the international arena. People have to sit and think about it.

Most of these incidents took place because of WhatsApp messages and some responsibilities have to be attached with those using these platforms. Though there were provisions under the IPC, the focus has to be given to the specific problems," Rohatgi said.

Sinha, who shared his views, said mob vigilantism has become a menace for the society at large in absence of any deterrent.

"It's high time and certain directions were needed to deal with these issues," he said, adding that already existing laws were not so specific.

"With the change of time, new laws were required to deal the new emerging problems," he stressed.