Rajasthan Assembly passed the Protection from Lynching Bill, 2019 recently and made a law on mob lynching.
Madhya Pradesh introduced a Bill that seeks to curb cow vigilantism.
Uttar Pradesh has drafted the UP Combating of Mob Lynching Bill, 2019, and submitted it to its Chief Minister.
What is the difference?
While the Rajasthan law and the UP draft are new, the proposed law in MP is an amendment to an existing act against cow slaughter.
The amendments propose a jail term and a fine for those who attack or damage property of, people booked, or likely to be booked, for offences.
The offences may be slaughter of cow progeny, possession of beef or transporting cow progeny for slaughter.
Why these moves are made?
These moves follow the Supreme Court’s directions to Parliament to come up with a special law, in the wake of a series of lynching incidents.
The Bench directed the Centre and states to carry out its directions within four weeks.
The Centre had created a Group of Ministers and a high-level committee to deliberate and make recommendations for a separate penal provision for mob violence.
What is the Rajasthan Bill?
The Rajasthan Protection from Lynching Bill, 2019 makes mob lynching a cognisable, non-bailable and non-compoundable offence punishable with life imprisonment and a fine up to Rs 5 lakh.
Defines lynching – Any act or series of acts of violence or aiding, abetting or attempting an act of violence, whether spontaneous or planned, by a mob.
Mob on the grounds – Religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth, language, dietary practices, sexual orientation, political affiliation, ethnicity”.
Investigated by a police officer of the rank of inspector and above.
The Bill also makes conspirators accountable.
What is the Madhya Pradesh Bill?
It seeks to amend MP Govansh Vadh Pratishedh Act, 2004 and proposes a jail term of about 6 months to 1 year.
When the same offence is committed by members of a mob, the jail term will be from 1 to 5 years.
The Bill proposes a lower term for those who assist and for those who commit the crime.
The punishment will double in case of those convicted for an offence they were previously convicted of.
The minimum fine is Rs 5,000 and the maximum Rs 50,000.
While the rules are yet to be formed, these will specify who issues the transit permit of cow progeny, which will be pasted on the vehicle.
There is no provision in the 2004 legislation for issuing transit permit from other states.
