SC seeks counter affidavit from six BJP-ruled states on cow vigilantes

New Delhi: The Supreme Court today sought a detailed counter affidavit from six states- Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra - within six weeks on a Public Interest Litigation, filed by Congress leader Tehseen S Poonawalla, in connection with cow vigilantes. The bench was headed by Justice Dipak Misra.

Mr Poonawalla had sought a direction to frame proper guidelines in the entire cow vigilante matter. The apex court took on record the submissions made by the Karnataka government, which filed a detailed reply in the case. Certain Acts, Mr Poonawala contended, which provide legal sanction to 'gau rakshaks,' should be struck down as unconstitutional He added that the content on social media, which is circulated by the cow vigilante groups, should also be removed. "Law is not adequate in the cow vigilante matter and the apex court should pass a direction in it," Mr Poonawalla asserted.

He also told the apex court that the rule of law has to be maintained and one cannot take the law into their own hands. The petitioner contended, "The Union of India (Centre) and many state governments are going slow on the guilty in this regard. What we want is that these state governments should take action and crackdown on these vigilante groups,'' . In the last hearing, the apex court had issued notices to six BJP-ruled states and sought a detailed reply into the matter. (UNI)