Condemning violence by vigilante groups in the name of the cow, the Supreme Court today said that no citizen can take law into their own hands and that it was the duty of the state to ensure order. Condemning violence by vigilante groups in the name of the cow, the Supreme Court today said that no citizen can take law into their own hands and that it was the duty of the state to ensure order and to prevent mobocracy. The apex court bench led by CJI Dipak Misra said: "In case of fear and anarchy, the state has to act positively. Violence can't be allowed." The Supreme Court asked the Parliament to see whether a new law can be made into the issue. The matter has been posted for further hearing to August 28. Earlier this month, dubbing the cases of lynching by cow vigilantes as a crime and not merely a law and order problem, the Supreme Court had put the onus on the states to check such incidents. On September 6 last year, the apex court had asked all the states to take stern measures to stop violence in the name of cow protection, including appointing of senior police officers as nodal officer in every district within a week and acting promptly to check cow vigilantes from behaving like they are "law unto themselves". The apex court had sought response from Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh governments on a plea seeking contempt action for not following its order to take stern steps to stop violence in the name of cow vigilantism. A contempt petition was filed by Tushar Gandhi, saying the three states have not complied with the top court order of September 6 last year.