BENGALURU: The Karnataka High Court has directed the state government to formulate a scheme within three months to provide interim compensation to victims of mob violence or their immediate family members, in line with Supreme Court guidelines.
The direction came while dismissing petitions filed by the state government and Abdul Jabbar, brother of Mangaluru mob-lynching victim Mohammed Ashraf, challenging the bail granted to the accused.
Justice Vijaykumar A Patil observed that since the chargesheet had already been filed, bail could not be cancelled merely on the ground that the accused no longer needed to remain in custody. Ordering their arrest at this stage could also delay the trial, the court said.
The court directed the government to submit a compliance report on the steps taken to frame the compensation scheme.
Referring to Supreme Court guidelines in mob-violence cases, the High Court said such cases should be tried within a stipulated timeframe. It also directed that disciplinary action be initiated against officials who fail to prevent or control mob violence.
A copy of the order is to be sent to all principal district and sessions courts, while victims are to be made parties to proceedings in such cases.
The case relates to the death of Mohammed Ashraf following an alleged mob assault at a cricket ground behind Bhatra Kallurti temple in Kudupu village, Mangaluru taluk, on April 27, 2025. Police had booked 20 people in connection with the incident, with most of the accused subsequently securing bail.
The state government had approached the High Court seeking cancellation of their bail.