Panel on lynching to give report in 4 weeks

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 24

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, responding to issue of mob lynching raised by political parties in the Lok Sabha, on Tuesday said the government was “serious” and “concerned” about the matter.

He was replying to the Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), AIIDMK and Left parties that raised the matter during Zero Hour.

The high-powered committee headed by the Union Home Secretary has been tasked to give its report within four weeks, he said, adding that he himself would be heading a Group of Ministers (GoM) on the matter. “If need be, we will frame a law,” he said.

The External Affairs Minister, Road Transport Minister, Ganga’s Rejuvenation Minister, Law Minister, and Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment will be part of the GoM. The GoM will submit its recommendation to the Prime Minister.

Rajnath replied after Speaker Sumitra Mahajan asked why the parties wanted to raise the issue every day.

TMC leader Sudip Bandhopadhyay demanded exemplary punishment for those involved in lynching. Mallikaarjun Kharge of the Congress wanted that a sitting Supreme Court judge be tasked with monitoring such cases.