New Delhi: The Central government has called for general public awareness campaigns about the serious consequences under the law if anyone indulges in mob violence. This step by the center was to check the incidence of lynching across the country.

The Home Ministry quoted Monday’s directive of the Supreme Court and told that the states need to take preventive measures to check incidents of mob lynching which have been reported from different parts of the country.

In its directive, the Supreme Court has issued an order that both the central as well as state governments need to broadcast on radio and television and other media platforms, which includes the official websites of the home department and police of the states, that lynching of any kind shall result in serious consequences under the law.

“We have asked the state governments to comply with the order of the Supreme Court,” a home ministry official said.

The home ministry had in its earlier advisory directed all the states of the country to appoint a superintendent of police-level officer in each and every district, organize a special task force for intelligence gathering and monitor closely social media content and activities so that no incidence of suspicious attack of being child-lifter or cattle-smuggler is reported.

The home ministry also said that if it was to be found that any police officer or officer from the district administration has failed to comply with government directions to prevent, investigate and facilitate expeditious trial of any such crime of mob violence and lynching, it will be considered as an act of negligence and misconduct deliberately, and strict actions shall be taken against such an erring official.

“Incidents of violence and lynching by mobs in some parts of the country fueled by various kinds of rumors and unverified news such as child lifting, theft, cattle smuggling etc, are a matter of serious concerns. Such instances of persons taking the law in their own hands run against the basic tenets of the rule of law.

“All state governments, UT administrations and their law enforcement agencies are requested to implement the directions of the Supreme Court in letter and spirit. A detailed report on the action taken in the matter may please be sent to the ministry at the earliest,” the advisory sent to chief secretaries and DGPs of the states and Union Territories (UT) had said.

To check the lynching incidents, a group of Ministers (GoM)) under Home Minister Rajnath Singh, is also deliberating on the legal framework to be set up.

In the parliament, Mr. Singh had said that the government will enact a law, if it is required, to contain the incidents of lynching.

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