BENGALURU, 25 AUG

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that charge sheets have been submitted to courts in only 64 per cent of cases registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. He directed officials to ensure that they are henceforth filed within the 60 day time period. 

Chairing a meeting of the State-Level Awareness and Monitoring Committee meeting for Scheduled Castes/Tribes on Monday, he said, "Police should not make any excuses. There are injunctions in 56 cases in the courts, and steps must be taken to clear these.”

Siddaramaiah noted that the conviction rate was only a dismal 10 per cent for such cases.

“If it is found that police are colluding with the accused, strict action will be taken against them,” he said.

Siddaramaiah noted there were serious delays from the administration's side. 

“From 2023, over the past three years, a total of 6,635 cases have been registered. Chargesheets have been filed in 4,912 cases, with only 4,149 cases having charge sheets submitted within 60 days. Only 63 per cent of the total registered cases have had charge sheets filed within 60 days. Only 36 cases have resulted in conviction,” he said. 

The Chief Minister said that the government was also considering increasing medical compensation provided to people rendered disabled in Atrocities cases. 

He directed the police to ensure that the stay orders from courts in 56 cases are removed. 

“Eleven fast-track courts have been established to try the atrocities cases in the State. Police have to work towards hastening of the cases to ensure justice to the victims,” he said.

Siddaramaiah also said that strict action must be taken in the case of fake caste certificates.