Centre all set to amend SC-ST Act to ensure harsher punishment to guilty
NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet is all set to amend the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and make penal provisions extremely tough to deter people committing crime against the SC ST community. The draft accessed proposes that common crimes like rape, assault and kidnapping should also be brought under the purview of this act. Most of these crimes invite punishment of less than 10 years but with amendments crimes like these will invite punishment for more than 10 years. As of now they are covered under IPC and offenders get away with light sentencing despite causing grave trauma and injury to the victim.
The amendments also define new crimes and add some to the list. As per the draft, obstructing use of common property, allegations of witchcraft, preventing entry in place of worship, social economic boycott and promoting enmity are few of the changes which have been added to the list. Above mentioned crimes will now be considered as cruelty against SC and STs.
The new law also defines certain other acts as criminal and includes them in SC ST frame work. As of now they are covered under the IPC laws. The new list includes cutting of moustache, throwing of waste in front of SC ST Household, disrobing a person, parading him naked, denial of use of land and water, destruction of crop and denial of forest rights. The lists also focus on crime against women. It would include voyeurism, throwing of acid, stalking etc.
The amendments would also provide setting up for special courts and rights if witnesses and victims will also be elaborated. In certain cases, the courts the accused will have to prove his innocence. The proposal also makes provisions against civil servants strict. In cases where civil servants conduct is found wanting then he can be booked after an administrative enquiry. Sources said that this will ensure that cases are properly registered and acted upon by the civil and police authorities at the local level.
Centre felt that crime against the SC and ST was not coming down and conviction rates too were disappointing requiring serious intervention. Sources said the attempt of the government is to ensure that regular crimes which take place against the tribal’s and Dalits too should get covered by the amendments so that the deterrence can be increased. The proposal has also envisaged improving institutional framework of the law and has tried to ensure that crimes against SC and ST can be prevented.
The amendments will not only make punishment for existing crimes tougher but new addition of new crimes to the list is expected to reduce cruelty against the SC ST community.
Source: India Today
