Violence in name of cow: SC notice to 3 states over contempt petition

Senior advocate Indira Jaising, who appeared for Gandhi, contended that violent incidents were still being witnessed in various parts of these states despite the court’s order last September to take adequate security measures.

On September 6, 2017, the apex court had asked the states to appoint senior police officers as nodal officers in every district within a week to tackle the issue. The Bench had also directed chief secretaries and DGPs to file status reports on action taken to prevent such cases. Besides, the court directed these states to ensure patrolling of highways after it was pointed out that such incidents mostly targetted vehicles transporting cattle or meat.

The top court had also asked the Centre to respond to the submission that it could issue directions under Article 256 (obligation of states and Union) of the Constitution to all state governments on issues related to law and order. The Centre told the apex court that it does not approve of any incident of people taking the law in their hands.