Mob Lynching

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Mob lynching is a term used to describe the acts of targeted violence by a large group of people.

The violence is tantamount to offences against human body or property- both public as well as private.

The mob believes that they are punishing the victim for doing something wrong (not necessarily illegal) and they take the law in their own hands to punish the purported accused without following any rules of law.

Causes for Mob Lynching

Lack of Speedy Justice

Inefficient working of justice rendering authorities is the primary reason why people take law into their own hands and have no fear of the consequences.

The Inefficiency of Police Administration

Police officers play an important role in protecting the life of the people and maintaining harmony among the people but due to their ineffective investigation procedure, this hate crime is rising day by day.

Types of Mob-lynching: Mob-Lynching based on the causes can be classified into five types. They are:

• Communal based
• Witchcraft
• Honour killing
• Bovine-related mob lynching
• Suspicion of Child lifting
• Theft cases

Related Issues

Mob lynching is a violation of human dignity,Article 21 of the Constitution, and a gross infringement of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Such incidents violate the Right to Equality and Prohibition of discrimination, which are enshrined in Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution of India.

However, it is nowhere mentioned in the law of the land and is hence simply put as murder since it has not been yet incorporated under the Indian Penal Code.

Related Steps Taken

Preventive Measures

In July 2017, the Supreme Court in the case of Tahseen s. Poonawala v. UOI had laid down several preventive, remedial and punitive measures to deal with lynching and mob violence.

The Supreme Court in this case aptly referred to mob lynching as a ‘horrendous act of mobocracy.’

Victim Compensation Schemes

Directions were also issued to set up Victim compensation schemes for relief and rehabilitation of victims.

A year later in July 2019 the Supreme Court issued notices to the Centre and several states asking them to submit the steps taken by them towards implementing the measures and file compliance reports.

As of now only three states Manipur, West Bengal and Rajasthan have enacted laws against mob lynching.

The Jharkhand Assembly has passed Prevention of Mob Violence and Mob Lynching Bill, 2021 recently.

What are the Government Steps on The Issue

Preventive Measures

In July 2017, the Supreme Court in the case of Tahseen s. Poonawala v. UOI had laid down several preventives, remedial and punitive measures to deal with lynching and mob violence.

The Supreme Court in this case aptly referred to mob lynching as a ‘horrendous act of mobocracy.’

Designated Fast Track Courts

States were directed to set up designated fast track courts in every district to exclusively deal with cases involving mob lynchings.

Special Task Force

The court had also mooted the setting up of a special task force with the objective of procuring intelligence reports about the people involved in spreading hate speeches, provocative statements and fake news which could lead to mob lynchings.

Victim Compensation Schemes

Directions were also issued to set up Victim compensation schemes for relief and rehabilitation of victims.

A year later in July 2019 the Supreme Court issued notices to the Centre and several states asking them to submit the steps taken by them towards implementing the measures and file compliance reports.

As of now only three states Manipur, West Bengal and Rajasthan have enacted laws against mob lynching.

The Jharkhand Assembly has passed Prevention of Mob Violence and Mob Lynching Bill, 2021 which has been returned by governor recently for reconsideration of a few provisions