SCHEDULED CASTES & SCHEDULED TRIBES (PREVENTION OF ATROCITIES) ACT, 1989
Oct. 2, 2019
The Supreme Court recalled its directions in a March, 2018 verdict that had effectively diluted provisions of arrest under the Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. This was following a plea by the Centre seeking a review of that judgment.
March 2018 Judgement:
Supreme Court diluted the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, to grant anticipatory bail to accused persons and directed that the police conduct a preliminary enquiry into whether a complaint under the law is “frivolous or motivated” before registering a case.
Both conditions were not part of the original legislation.
It had reasoned that members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes use the 1989 law to lodge false complaints, leading to the arrest of innocent persons.
The March 2018 judgment triggered widespread protests and compelled the government to amend the Act to negate the effect of the ruling. It also filed a review petition against the verdict.
Recent Judgement:
In its judgment on the review petition, Supreme Court said human failing and not caste is the reason for the filing of false criminal complaints.
The court condemned its earlier judgment, saying it was against “basic human dignity” to treat all SC/ST community members as “a liar or crook”.
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