Call for law to end mob killings

Make it a non-bailable offence: NCAML

July 07, 2017 10:40 pm | Updated 10:40 pm IST - New Delhi

Members of Citiens for Peace, Justice and Democracy holding a demonstration against violence in Chennai. File photo.

Members of Citiens for Peace, Justice and Democracy holding a demonstration against violence in Chennai. File photo.

The National Campaign Against Mob Lynchings (NCAML) released a draft law of the Manav Suraksha Kanoon on Friday to tackle such killings and asked the Modi government to get it passed by Parliament in the upcoming monsoon session.

Prakash Ambedkar, grandson of B.R. Ambedkar released the document, along with NCAML core members Tehseen Poonawalla and Shehla Rashid, in the presence of lawyer Sanjay Hegde and Shehzad Poonawalla here at the Constitution Club.

The NCAML was launched last month by Mr. Poonawalla, along with Ms. Rashid, Kanhaiya Kumar and Jignesh Mewani. The move comes in the wake of alleged government indifference to mob killings in different parts of the country.

The draft law includes a definition of ‘mob’ and ‘lynching’, suggests that lynching be made a non-bailable offence, recommends immediate suspension of the SHO of the area until a time-bound judicial probe takes place and mandates life imprisonment for the for those convicted under mob lynching.

The draft also has India-specific provisions stating how mobs are created, with technology being used for rumour-mongering. It states that a peaceful protest against leaders, policies etc. cannot be termed as a mob. Under the draft law, videographic evidence of survivors statements would also act as evidence.

It also has provisions for a time-bound judicial enquiry, which should not take more than six months. Even compensation and rehabilitation has been recommended for the victims’ families.

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