Law Kumar Mishra
Patna, December 21
Jharkhand Assembly on Tuesday passed a bill to impose heavy penalty and award life imprisonment for the accused charged with mob lynching.
The Jharkhand (prevention of mob lunching and violence) Bill was passed though the opposition BJP opposed it.
Earlier, West Bengal and Rajasthan, both ruled by non-BJP parties had introduced anti-mob lynching laws.
According to the provisions in the new law, officers in charge of local police station too would be held accountable for any case of mob lynching in their jurisdiction. Government will appoint an IG of police rank officer as nodal officer to enforce the law.
The state government will bear the medical expenses of those injured in mob lynching. If a victim of mob lynching dies, accused will face life imprisonment and penalty of Rs 25 lakh.
For causing minor injuries, accused will be sentenced for three years jail term and Rs 3 lakh penalty. According to the new law, mob has been defined as group of two or more.
Under the new law, dissemination of provocative information and hate speech would also invite prosecution.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren said in its election manifesto in 2019 assembly elections party had promised the legislation.
In 2017, Alauddin Akhtar was killed by a mob on charges of carrying beef at Ramgarh and in 2019, Tabrez Alam was killed by a mob at Kharsawan on identical accusations.
