SC to hear Centre's plea regarding dilution of SC/ST Act
The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear the Centre's plea to recall its March 20 judgment of provisions made in the SC/ST Act. The Centre said the dilution of the act caused great damage to the country. The apex court will hear the case on May 3. The earlier judgment of the SC led to a nation-wide protest by Dalits on April 2.
Attorney General KK Venugopal appeared before a bench headed by Justice Goel. He said a written submission in the case has been filed by the Centre. He urged time was apt for the court to hear the case, and hence the date for May 3 was set. The Attorney General added four other states have also filed review petitions in the matter.
Making a case for itself, the Centre said an FIR needs to be registered immediately in cases of atrocities against SC and ST. The March 20 judgment provided a layer of protection before an FIR was registered, irking SC/STs all over the nation. It also said the apex court's judgment violated the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
"Since offences of atrocities affect dignity and life of members of SC and ST community, FIR needs to be registered immediately so that the investigation commences fast without any room for accused to seek anticipatory bail," said the Centre.
The Centre said if someone accused of atrocities is given anticipatory bail, they may use it to terrorize victims. The Centre quoted Ram Kishan Balothia case of 1995 to explain untouchability and social attitude towards SC/ST community that lead to such offenses.
