UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — ‘Directions in hate crime ruling may be too difficult’

Q1. Who headed the three-judge Bench of the Supreme Court that delivered the 2018 judgment in Tehseen S. Poonawalla v. Union of India, laying down preventive, remedial and punitive directions against mob lynching and cow vigilantism?

  • A. Chief Justice Dipak Misra
  • B. Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi
  • C. Chief Justice J.S. Khehar
  • D. Chief Justice T.S. Thakur

Q2. With reference to the directions issued by the Supreme Court in Tehseen S. Poonawalla v. Union of India (2018), consider the following: 1. Designation in each district of a nodal officer of a rank not below that of Superintendent of Police to take preventive measures against mob violence. 2. Trial of mob lynching cases in designated fast-track courts to be concluded preferably within six months of taking cognizance. 3. Mandatory imposition of the death penalty as the maximum sentence for offences of mob lynching and cow vigilantism. 4. Witness protection scheme covering, among other things, concealment of the identity of witnesses. Which of the above are correctly identified as directions issued by the Court?

  1. Designation in each district of a nodal officer of a rank not below that of Superintendent of Police to take preventive measures against mob violence.
  2. Trial of mob lynching cases in designated fast-track courts to be concluded preferably within six months of taking cognizance.
  3. Mandatory imposition of the death penalty as the maximum sentence for offences of mob lynching and cow vigilantism.
  4. Witness protection scheme covering, among other things, concealment of the identity of witnesses.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1 and 4 only

Q3. As per the directions issued by the Supreme Court in Tehseen S. Poonawalla v. Union of India (2018), the trial in designated fast-track courts for offences of mob lynching and mob violence shall preferably be concluded within how many months of taking cognizance?

  • A. Three months
  • B. Six months
  • C. Nine months
  • D. Twelve months

Q4. In February 2026, the Supreme Court Bench that rejected a contempt petition alleging non-compliance with the 2018 directions in Tehseen S. Poonawalla v. Union of India, observing that courts must avoid issuing 'unmanageable general directions', was headed by which one of the following?

  • A. Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud
  • B. Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna
  • C. Chief Justice Surya Kant
  • D. Chief Justice B.R. Gavai

Q5. Under the directions in Tehseen S. Poonawalla v. Union of India (2018), the nodal officer to be designated in each district to take preventive measures against mob lynching and cow vigilantism shall be drawn from which one of the following?

  • A. The State Police, an officer not below the rank of Superintendent of Police, assisted by a DSP-rank officer
  • B. The Central Reserve Police Force, an officer not below the rank of Commandant
  • C. The State Home Department, an officer not below the rank of Joint Secretary
  • D. The District Administration, the District Magistrate acting ex officio