Crime
SC closes PIL against alarming rise in lynchings, mob violence
New Delhi, Feb 11: The Supreme Court on Tuesday disposed of a PIL seeking directions to DGPs of states to take immediate action in lynching and mob violence cases in accordance with the directions of the apex court and added that the directions in the Tehseen Poonawalla vs. Union of India case were binding on all authorities across India.
A Bench of Justices B.R. Gavai and K.Vinod Chandran opined that sitting in the national Capital, it cannot monitor incidents in different areas of different states across the country.
“Sitting in Delhi, we cannot monitor incidents in different areas of the country and in our view such micromanagement would not be feasible,” said the Justice Gavai-led Bench.
It added that the directions laid down by the top court in the case of Tehseen Poonawalla vs. Union of India, are binding on all authorities across the country under Article 141 of the Constitution.
In its 2018 judgment in the Poonawalla case, the Supreme Court had directed designation of nodal officer in each district for taking measures to prevent incidents of mob violence and lynching.
“The Director General of Police/the Secretary, Home Department of the concerned states shall take regular review meetings (at least once a quarter) with all the Nodal Officers and State Police Intelligence heads,” it had ordered.
In its order, the Justice Gavai-led Bench stated that an aggrieved person can always seek remedy in accordance with the law, clarifying that the apex court cannot lay down any uniform criteria for the grant of compensation to the victims of mob lynching incidents since the quantum of compensation ought to be decided on a case to case basis.
Further, the apex court refused to examine the validity of cow protection laws introduced in several states, suggesting the litigants to approach the jurisdictional High Court.
“It will be appropriate that persons who are aggrieved approach jurisdictional High Courts to challenge the vires of the legislations/notifications,” the SC said.
During the course of hearing, Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, the second-highest law officer of the Centre, submitted that mob lynching is a distinct offence under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and if there is any violation, the law will take its own course.
In an earlier hearing, the top court had pulled up the state governments of Assam, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Bihar for not filing their counter-affidavits.
“We clarify that in the event counter affidavits are not filed by the above-mentioned states, the Chief Secretaries of the said states shall remain personally present in the court on the next date of hearing to show cause as to why an action should not be taken against them for non-compliance of the orders of the court,” it had said in an order passed on November 5, 2024.
Earlier in April last year, the apex court had granted six weeks to various state governments to file their reply detailing the action taken in cases of lynchings and mob violence.
“It was expected of the state governments to at least respond and give details as to what action has been taken in respect of the said instances (of lynchings and mob violence). We, therefore, grant six weeks’ time to all the state governments – who have not yet filed their affidavits – to file their counter-reply and give an explanation as to what action has been taken by the states in respect of incidents mentioned in the writ petition or interlocutory applications,” the SC had said.
In July 2023, the Supreme Court issued notice to the Centre and the Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Odisha, and Maharashtra governments. Later, all state governments were added as parties in the PIL on an application moved by Islamic clerics’ organisation Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind. The plea prayed for a minimum uniform compensation to be determined by the court that should be granted to the victims or their families in addition to the amount determined by the authorities.
“In most cases, minimal action of merely registering FIRs is the only thing that is done by the authorities which seems to be more of a formality than any genuine initiation of the criminal machinery,” the plea said.
Crime
Ulhasnagar Woman Harassed in Divyang Coach Of Mumbai Local Train; 2 Arrested

Kalyan: In a shocking incident, a 26-year-old woman from Ulhasnagar was allegedly harassed in the Divyang coach of a Mumbai local train on December 2. The incident occurred on Tuesday, December 2, at around 8.15 pm.
In the video shared by, while returning from work in Thane, she boarded the Central Railways Thane-Kalyan train. After the train crossed Dombivali, the woman argued with the accused, identified as Anup Surendra Singh, and Abhilasha Arjun Nayar regarding the Divyang pass. The woman alleged that after she had a heated argument, the two accused caught her hand and even eve-teased her.
When they got down at Ulhasnagar station, all three, along with another eyewitness, had a huge argument at the station. Railway Police soon reached the platform, where several women intervened and confronted the officers about the incident. The police then later moved the accused to the Kalyan Railway Police Station, and based on the woman’s complaint, a case was registered under Section 74 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Both the accused have been arrested.
Meanwhile, last month, a 25-year-old transgender person was arrested by the Vashi Government Railway Police (GRP) for allegedly molesting a 28-year-old woman aboard a Panvel to CSMT local train on 2 November. The incident occurred around 12.10 pm when the train was nearing Nerul station. The accused, when he boarded the general compartment of the harbour line train, was seeking alms from passengers. When the train crossed Seawoods station, an argument broke out between the accused and a male passenger who refused to give money.
The man, accompanied by a female friend, asked the accused to move ahead, leading to a heated verbal exchange. During the confrontation, the accused allegedly abused the man and touched the woman on her shoulder, which made her uncomfortable. A complaint was filed and the accused was taken into custody by the Vashi GRP.
Crime
Massive Drug Bust In Nalasopara: Nigerian National Caught With 255 Grams Of Mephedrone Worth ₹51 Lakh

Nalasopara: The biggest news right now is the recovery of a large quantity of drugs in Nalasopara, which has created a stir in the area.
The incident falls under the jurisdiction of the Tulinj Police Station, in the Prgati Nagar area of Nalasopara East. According to information received, the Crime Branch Unit 2 team got a tip-off that an unknown person was coming to the area to smuggle a large quantity of drugs.
Following this intelligence, the Crime Branch Unit 2 team laid a trap and apprehended the Nigerian individual on the road. During the search, approximately 255 grams of MD (Mephedrone) drugs were seized from him, with a total value estimated at around ₹51 lakh 10 thousand.
The recovery of such a large amount of drugs in broad daylight, just 25 meters away from the Pragati Nagar Beat police chowki (under Tulinj Police Station), has created a sensation and panic in the locality.
Currently, the Crime Branch Unit 3 team has arrested the Nigerian national from the Pragati Nagar area in connection with drug trafficking, carrying out a major operation.
Crime
Sexual assault case: Court reserves order on Cong MLA Mamkootathil’s anticipatory bail plea

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 3: A court on Wednesday reserved order on the anticipatory bail plea of Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, accused of raping and coercing a woman into an unsafe abortion.
After a 90-minute closed-door hearing, the Court said that since a maze of documents has to be perused, the orders will come accordingly.
Before the start of the hearing, the court cleared the room, reflecting the sensitivity of the case that triggered a major political storm in the state.
Mamkootathil’s counsel argued that the complaint was “motivated and aimed at destroying his political career”, alleging a conspiracy involving the CPI(M) and BJP.
He maintained that the relationship had been consensual and claimed the pregnancy was not related to him.
The defence further argued that the woman herself opted for an abortion. It was also pointed out that this case is being used to divert public attention from the Sabarimala gold smuggling controversy.
The court, after listening to both sides, reserved its order and directed the prosecution to file one more supporting document.
Meanwhile, the Special Investigation Team has submitted a detailed report to the court, reportedly containing grave findings.
According to the report, the woman was raped multiple times and was threatened into undergoing an abortion.
Investigators say they have evidence to support allegations of sexual assault and coercion.
The prosecution argued strongly against granting bail, highlighting Mamkootathil’s influence as a public representative.
If released, they warned, he could intimidate the complainant or destroy crucial evidence.
For Mamkootathil, the case has become politically existential.
A court order against him could result in expulsion from his party, for which a majority in the party have gone on record tasking the party’s top brass to ensure that he is expelled.
In August, when this case first surfaced, the party stripped him of the post of Youth Congress president and suspended him from the party.
Even as the case tightens around him, the police have yet to trace the legislator, who, they say, is absconding in Bengaluru, seven days after the complaint was filed.
In her confidential deposition before the Neyyattinkara JFCM court, the woman detailed multiple instances of rape, twice in a Thiruvananthapuram flat and later in Palakkad.
She alleged that Rahul recorded videos of the assaults, used them to threaten her, and repeatedly intimidated her over the phone.
According to the prosecution, Mamkootathil’s friend Joby Joseph delivered the abortion pill and has been named a co-accused.
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