Supreme Court orders Assam, four other states to respond to PIL on rising lynching cases

The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered Assam and four other states to file detailed responses to a PIL filed by the National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW), which raises urgent concerns over an alarming rise in incidents of lynching and mob violence, especially by self-styled cow vigilantes.

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The bench, led by Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan, has set a strict four-week deadline for the states to submit their counter-affidavits. The court warned that if the states fail to respond by the next hearing date, Chief Secretaries may be summoned to appear in person to explain the delay, with potential legal consequences.

The Registrar (Judicial) has been instructed to ensure timely communication of the order to the Chief Secretaries.