SC-ST atrocities: Siddu cracks whip on police

Maqsood Maniyar | NT

Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday warned Superintendents of Police (SPs) and Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) that there would be action against them if charge sheets were not filed in the Prevention of Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) Atrocities Act cases within 120 days of the crime.

The CM pointed out that of the 10,893 cases under the Act registered in the state in the past five years, a charge sheet has not been filed in 1,100 of them in under 120 days.

He added that people who’ve committed castebased crimes would become bold if they get bail, which he said was a result of absence of charge sheets.

Siddaramaiah said that the rate of conviction in atrocities act cases was an abysmal 3.44 per cent, which ranks 21st in the country, adding that police should ensure that the number goes up.

He also objected to the absence of charge sheets in 53 murder cases in the past five years, adding that show cause notices be issued to erring officials.

He made the comments in the state-level Vigilance and in-charge Committee meeting held at the Conference hall in Vidhana Soudha.

“This shows the indifference of the officers towards Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. This will not give justice to the victims. This won’t be tolerated,” he said.

“If a charge sheet is not filed within 90 days under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CRPC) and under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act within 60 days, the accused can get bail easily. Will those who get easy bail have fear of law?” he asked.

The SPs and DCPs will be made directly responsible and action will be taken for the delay.

The DG (Director General) and IG (Inspector General) will be directed to take action against the investigators of the cases, he added.

Review cases: CM

The CM also ordered that multiple review meetings be conducted in atrocities cases, adding that the same be discussed in Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) meetings.

“A review meeting should be held every month regarding the progress of investigation of these cases,” Siddaramaiah said.

“A circular will be issued to all MLAs and district in-charge ministers to review the progress of atrocity cases in KDP meetings,” he added. Another circular will be issued that the District Commissioners (DCs) must conduct a meeting and review the progress, he said.

Four departments to co-ordinate

Siddaramaiah also ordered that four departments namely Police, Law, Social Welfare and Revenue should work in coordination with each other to reduce the cases of atrocities against Dalits and tribals to handle the registered cases effectively.

“Social Welfare, Police, Prosecution and Revenue Department should work in coordination to achieve this objective. People of this category can get justice in a systematic way when these departments work in coordination,” he said.

“Tehsildars, Sub-Divisional Officers, District Collectors, Superintendents of Police should check the progress,” he added.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, other ministers and the Chief Secretary