An Indian Socio- Legal Study on Mob Lynching and Future Prosecution Challenges
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Mob lynching in India represents a serious socio-legal challenge arising from factors such as communal tensions, caste dynamics, vigilantism, and the spread of misinformation through digital platforms. This study examines the nature and causes of mob violence within the framework of constitutional values and the rule of law. It analyzes the legal response under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS), while noting the absence of a specific anti-lynching statute. The paper highlights key prosecution challenges, including difficulties in establishing individual liability, evidentiary limitations, witness intimidation, and delays in the justice process. It also underscores the growing impact of digital evidence and misinformation in triggering and complicating such crimes. The study emphasizes the need for legal reforms, stronger enforcement mechanisms, and institutional accountability to effectively address mob lynching.
Authors: Tarun Gaur, Mahendra Pratap Singh
Institution: Mangalayatan University
Language: English
Topic: Criminal Law and Policy
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7162873402