Mob lynching is a grave issue :India

Mob lynching is a grave issue involving extrajudicial violence by a group of people . Here’s a detailed overview:

• Definition: Mob lynching refers to acts of violence, often resulting in death, perpetrated by a group of individuals acting outside the legal system . These acts are frequently driven by prejudice and target marginalized communities based on factors like race, caste, religion, or other identity markers .
• Legal Framework:
  • Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023: India has introduced specific offenses for mob lynching under Section 103(2) and Section 117(4) of the BNS .
    • Section 103(2): Deals with murder committed by a group of five or more persons acting in concert based on race, caste, community, sex, place of birth, language, personal belief, or any similar ground. It prescribes punishment with death or life imprisonment and a fine .
    • Section 117(4): Addresses cases where a group of five or more persons acting in concert causes grievous hurt to a person on similar grounds as above. It prescribes imprisonment up to seven years and a fine .
  • Absence in IPC: Previously, there was no specific provision for mob lynching under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), but offenses such as murder, attempt to murder, rioting, and unlawful assembly were invoked .
• Factors and Motivations:
  • Mob lynching is often motivated by factors such as race, caste, community, language, personal belief or any other similar ground .
• Measures to Combat Mob Lynching:
  • Supreme Court Directives: The Supreme Court has laid down preventive, remedial, and punitive measures to combat mob lynching .
    • Remedial Measures: Include registering FIRs, conducting effective investigations, providing compensation to victims, and ensuring speedy trials in designated fast-track courts .
  • State Laws: Only a few states, such as Manipur, West Bengal and Rajasthan, have enacted specific laws against mob lynching .
• Loopholes:
  • Omission of Religion: The BNS provision does not explicitly mention “religion” as a motive, which some critics point out as a loophole .
• Recent Cases:
  • Karnataka: In May 2025, a police inspector in Mangaluru, Karnataka, was suspended for negligence in connection with a mob lynching case .
• Concerns and Challenges:
  • Mob lynching poses a threat to the rule of law and the democratic fabric of society .
  • There have been allegations of political interference and attempts to protect perpetrators .

In simple terms, mob lynching is when a group of people take the law into their own hands and violently attack someone, often based on prejudice. A more comprehensive explanation includes the legal definitions, motivations, measures to combat it, and ongoing challenges in addressing this crime …