The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear a plea challenging certain laws that give protection to cow protection groups in the country.
A public interest litigation also sought the removal of content on the Internet that is used as propaganda by such groups and which is allegedly inciting citizens.
A bench headed by justice Dipak Misra asked for copies of the petition to be circulated to the centre and states Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Jharkhand.
Additionally, the plea seeks adequate compensation for victims of those allegedly attacked by vigilante groups.
“Animal protection laws such as the Maharashtra Animal Protection Act, 1956, prohibits any legal action against persons for actions done in good faith under the law,” the petition said, a copy of which Mint has seen.
Some states also grant the power of search and seize to officials under such laws.
The petition also referred to a 2011 ruling of the apex court in which the court had directed the government to disband vigilante groups.
Following violence by self-styled cow protectors or gau rakshaks, the centre had issued an advisory in August asking state governments to ensure no such vigilante groups are allowed to take the law into their own hands “under any circumstances” in the garb of cow protection.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also made an appeal against violence by cow protection groups.
The court will hear the case next on 7 November.
Source: Livemint
