‘Reopen SC/ST cases, if necessary’

Kakinada: East Godavari Collector Kartikeya Mishra strongly advocated for reopening of SC, ST and POA cases in view of less conviction to the offences committed on these sections.

Reviewing the SC, ST and atrocity cases on women and the settlement of compensation in the district at the District Vigilance and Monitoring Committee meeting at Collectorate here on Wednesday, the Collector directed the concerned authorities to go through the acquittals in these cases and reopen the cases.

He directed the officials concerned to obtain details of cases with public prosecutors in the district so as to review them.

With regard to issue of caste and medical certificates in these cases, Collector fixed time frame of seven days to the concerned.

The Collector also directed various departments in the district to speed up spending of the funds allotted under special component plan for SCs and STs.

East Godavari SP Vishal Gunni who also attended the review meet, said that necessary steps were being initialed in the district to file SC/ST atrocity cases.

There were 30 cases pending in the district due to stay orders in courts and in three cases the offenders were absconding.

Steps were being initiated to expedite the investigation in these cases, the SP revealed.

Member of the committee G Krishna observed that nearly 170 cases were pending for the last three years due to various reasons and this delay may affect the justice to the victims.

The member also requested the district administration to issue caste and medical certificates for speedy disposal of cases relating to women harassment, bonded labour, manual scavengers and also for utilisation of funds allotted to SC/STs.

M Sarada, K Koteswara Rao, members of the committee, district heads of various departments attended.