Centre sets up committee and GOM to formulate measures to curb lynching. [Read Press-release]

In light of the Supreme Court judgment on July 17th, 2018 the centre has set up a high-level committee chaired by the Union Home Secretary to formulate appropriate measures to address the issue of lynching in the country. The members of the committee are The Secretary, Department of Justice, Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs, Secretary, Legislative Department and Secretary, Social Justice, and Empowerment. The committee has to submit its recommendations to the Government within four weeks.

Further, the centre has also decided to constitute a Group of Ministers headed by the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, to consider the recommendations of the committee. The Minister, External Affairs, Minister, Road Transport and Highways; Shipping, Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Minister, Law & Justice and Minister, Social Justice and Empowerment are the members of Group of Ministers. The Group of Ministers will submit their recommendations to the Prime Minister.

Moreover, the Centre has also issued an advisory to all States and Union Territories, directing them to implement the directions issued in the matter by the Supreme Court on July 17, 2018.

The Advisory states, “As per the Constitutional scheme, ‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are State subjects. State Governments are responsible for controlling crime, maintaining law and order, and protecting the life and property of the citizens. Accordingly, effective measures should be taken by State Governments and UT Administrations to prevent violence and lynching by mobs and to afford equal protection of the law to all citizens irrespective of caste, creed or religion. Action should be taken as per law against perpetrators of violence.”

The States/UTs have been directed to send a detailed report on the action taken in the matter to the ministry at the earliest.