'Grave situation', says SC on incidents of vandalism during protests

The Supreme Court today termed "grave" the incidents of vandalism of private and public properties by various groups during protests across the country and said it will not wait for the government to amend the law.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra and also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud said it will issue directions in the matter.

Attorney General K K Venugopal told the bench that responsibility should be fixed on authorities like the superintendent of the police of the area in cases of vandalism and rioting.

Such incidents of violent protests and rioting happen almost every week in one or another part of the country, he said, and referred to protests on the Maratha reservation in Maharashtra, nation-wide violence following the apex court verdict in the SC/ST matter and the recent incidents of violence involving 'Kanwarias'.

When the film "Padmavat" was to be released, one group openly threatened to cut the nose of the lead actress, he said, and added, "Nothing has happened. No FIR."