Harsh Mander Files PIL In Jharkhand HC Seeking Steps To Curb Mob Lynching [Read Petition]

In the wake of the ghastly incident of mob lynching which occurred few days ago in Jharkhand, social activist Harsh Mander has filed a Public Interest Litigation petition in the Jharkhand High Court seeking measures to curb the recurrence of such incidents.

The petition has sought for implementation of the directions issued by the Supreme Court last year in Tehseen Poonawalla's case for controlling mob lynching.

It was on June 18 that Tabrez Anzari, a 24 year old man, was attacked by a mob in Kharsawan district of Jharkhand on suspicion of theft. He was beaten up for over 18 hours before being handed over to the police. He succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital on June 22.  The videos of the attack which became viral in social media showed the attackers asking the victim to chant "Jai Shri Ram" and "Jai Hanuman".

In a judgment delivered on July 17 last year, the Supreme Court had directed states to take specific preventive, punitive and remedial measures to curb lynching, observing that "rising intolerance and growing polarisation expressed through a spate of incidents of mob violence cannot be permitted to become the normal way of life or the normal state of law and order".

The apex court also mooted a special law to deal with lynching and the appointment of a nodal officer in each district to combat the threat.

In the PIL, Mander has sought for compliance of the SC directions by seeking the following reliefs : 

• prepare a lynching/mob violence victim compensation scheme in the light of the provisions of Section 357A of CrPC
• designate a court in each districts to try the lynching cases on day to day basis and conclude the trial within 6 months from the date of cognizance
• broadcast on television, radio and other media platforms and also on official websites of the Home Department and the Jharkhand Police that mob violence and lynching shall invite serious consequences
• ensure that all families of Lynching victim receive commensurate compensation

The petition filed through Advocate Shadab Ansari is likely to be mentioned tomorrow for early hearing.

The shocking incident is being widely seen as a part of worrying surge in mob vigilantism on sectarian lines.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday termed the incident a "blot on humanity".

TMC MP Mahua Moitra raised the issue in the Parliament on Tuesday. "The lynching of citizens in broad daylight is being condoned. From Pehlu Khan in Rajasthan last year to Mr. Ansari in Jharkhand yesterday, the list is not stopping," she said.

Breaking his silence on the issue, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in the Lok Sabha today that while he was pained by the attack, it was not fair to insult the entire state for it.

(Image courtesy : India Today)

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