Live
- Women of steel: Promoting environment conservation, come what may
- APSSDC signs tripartite MoU to upgrade skills of AP youth
- ‘AAP govt settling Rohingyas in Delhi, giving voter cards’
- Students advised to pursue excellence through learning
- Cold wave hits AP, Telangana: temperatures plunge to single digits
- AAP replaces Gahlot with another Jat face in Cabinet
- A Rising Star in Indian Cinema
- Telangana Introduces EV Policy to Prevent Severe Air Pollution
- Group- III exams conclude
- Ghose probe panel to summon KCR, Harish
Supreme Court sets aside its 2018 verdict on SC/ST Act
The Supreme Court on Tuesday set aside its judgement which introduced measures like prior inquiry before the arrest of an accused under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities Act), 1989.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday set aside its judgement which introduced measures like prior inquiry before the arrest of an accused under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities Act), 1989.
A bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra said, "SC/ST have been outcasts for centuries, and untouchability has not vanished yet. They still remain 'Harijan'."
The court observed the backward classes have not been able to achieve equity and civil rights, and despite reservations, the fruits of development have not reached them. The court also cited the death of workers who died while cleaning sewers. The apex court observed that no such directions should have been passed.
The apex court recalled directions which mandated prior sanction for arrest of public servants and private persons. The court also recalled the requirement of preliminary enquiry before registering FIR. Citing social discrimination faced by the backward classes, the court pointed that Article 15 carves out special provisions.
"Courts cannot do what could not be done by the legislature," said the top court.
The cloud of doubt on SC/ST was termed as "human failings" by the court.
The Centre filed a review petition and pressed for restoring the stringent provisions.
