Union Government notifies new rules to revamp SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act
The Union Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry has notified new rules to give effect amended Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
The new rules seek to tighten provisions to ensure speedy justice to members of the SC/ST community.
Key facts
- The new rules aims at speeding up the process of dispensation of justice, liberalise and expedite access to relief for victims of atrocities, ensuring special sensitivity in cases of offences against women.
- It has been made mandatory for cops to file chargesheet within 60 days after a complaint is lodged.
- For the first time, there is provision of relief for offences of rape and gang rape.
- Requirement of medical examination for getting relief amount for non-invasive kind of offences against women has been delinked.
- Relief in cash or in kind or both must be provided within seven days to the victims of atrocity, their family members and dependents.
- The new rules also call for regular reviews of the scheme for the rights and entitlements of victims and witnesses in accessing justice.
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Month: Current Affairs - April, 2016