Bengaluru: The department of social welfare is taking an important step to ensure those from the oppressed and marginalised communities are able to get justice. The department has prepared a ready reckoner for police officers which contains all the provisions of the Prevention of Atrocities (SC/ST) Act, and offers guidance to the authorities to ensure that appropriate action is taken. The handbook will help to remove the confusion regarding inclusion of correct sections while filing First Information Reports (FIRs) on cases pertaining to atrocities against Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).
Releasing the handbook, Deputy CM Dr. G Parameshwar said, “I am happy that the department of social welfare is bringing out this handbook for our police officers and other officials. This is a step towards a just, and equal society. I would advice all authorities concerned to become thoroughly acquainted with the provisions of the law, and help our government deliver justice to all sections of society.”
Social Welfare Minister Priyank Kharge, in a release, explained that the handbook will have details of regulations pertaining to the Prevention of Atrocities against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Act 2015 and the amended rules of 2016. He said that this will enable the police to record the relevant clauses in the FIR and thereby ensure that the victims are able to get justice.
Mr Kharge said, “For long there's been confusion over the provisions of the SC/ST Act. Failure to mention the specific clauses in the FIRs had in the past resulted in unsuitable arguments before the courts, and so we have not been able to provide justice to the victim.” Later, Dr Parameshwar issued a separate letter to home department officials to follow the handbook while dealing with SC/ ST atrocity cases.
