Mob violence a crime, states under obligation to prevent such incidents: SC

Dubbing the cases of lynching by cow vigilantes as a crime and not merely a law and order problem, the Supreme Court today put the onus on the states to check such incidents saying no one can take law into their hands.

The top court reserved its verdict on a plea seeking formulation of guidelines to curb such violent incidents in the country, as it took serious note of mob violence but said that it cannot be confined to any particular motive.

A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud said "we will pass an elaborate order in this regard on the petition. Hearing concluded. Judgement reserved."
As Jaising argued that such incidents normally went beyond the description of law and order, the bench said "this is not a law and order issue but a crime and States needs to be more responsible in dealing with these incidents."
To this, the Chief Justice observed, "we shall not confine these incidents to any particular motive. This is mob violence, which is a crime. Centre should frame a scheme under Article 257 (Control of the Union over States in certain cases) of Constitution."