The Supreme Court has cautioned lawyers against selectively highlighting cases based on religion or caste, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing incidents of mob lynching. During a hearing on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the rise in mob violence against minorities across different states, the apex court referenced the tragic case of Kanhaiya Lal, a tailor from Udaipur, Rajasthan, who was brutally killed outside his shop in June 2022.
The PIL also sought immediate interim compensation for the families of mob lynching victims. Counsel for the petitioners argued that states often mislabel such incidents as general scuffles instead of recognizing them as cases of mob lynching, hindering the implementation of the Supreme Court’s directives on the matter.
The bench, inquiring about the killing of Kanhaiya Lal, stressed the importance of including all relevant cases without selective bias. However, the petitioners’ lawyer clarified that Kanhaiya Lal’s case was not part of the present petition.
Responding to this, the Court emphasized the need for inclusivity in addressing mob lynching cases across all states, cautioning against selective representation. It reiterated that arguments should focus on the broader issue at hand, devoid of religious or caste-based considerations.
Last year in July, the apex court had sought responses from the Central government and police authorities of six states on the issue of mob lynching, indicating its ongoing concern and engagement with the matter.
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