“Those who are allegedly committing crime in the name of Go-Raksha (Cow Vigilantism) need to be brought under the hammer of the law. State and District Nodal Officers need to provide Highway Patrol to bring the law and order situation under control and monitor crime being committed in the name of Go-Raksha. The Supreme Court should be informed of the appointment of Highway Patrol teams.“

This order was passed by the Supreme Court in Dec 2017. Prior to this order, the Supreme Court, had initially asked the governments of Rajasthan Maharashtra, Gujrat, Jharkhan, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh to reply to a petition by Congress leaders Shehzad and Tehseen Poonawala seeking curbs on cow-protection vigilantism.

On a petition raised by Tushar Gandhi recently, the apex court has taken a strict approach and as per media reports, has demanded an explanation and action taken plan from the state governments of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Hariyana, subsequent to issuing a contempt of court notice to the chief secretaries of these states.

The petition asks the Supreme Court of reasons for no action being taken against the cow-vigilantes by these states. The court has asked the respective secretaries to reply before 3 April.

Chief Justice Deepak Mishra, Justice A.M Khanvilkar and Justice D.Y Chandrachud are the members of the bench that is hearing this petition. The petition by Gandhi states that inspite of the orders of the Supreme Court, the State has been unable to take action against cow vigilantes and curb the terror that is being spread by them. The petition also requested the Court to direct the state governments to take action and remove the photos and videos that are active on social media and are giving air to the cow vigilantism propaganda.