Zero conviction in 1,633 atrocity cases against SCs, STs: Report

As many as 1,633 cases were booked under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act of 1986 but the conviction rate was zero in 2014, states a report on the implementation of the said Act.

According to the report, 273 accused under the said Act were acquitted while B reports were filed in as many as 384 cases in 2014.

 The report was released during an event jointly organised by the Karnataka State Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Supervisory and Empowerment Committee and Karnataka Dalit Women’s Forum in Bengaluru on Wednesday.

The report highlights that a majority of the cases booked were settled, with very few acquittals and convictions. In 2010, 27 persons were convicted in atrocities cases. In 2011, 1,792 cases were booked. Out of which, 1,285 were settled, with 16 convictions and 100 acquittals. B report was filed in 360 cases.

The following year, 1,762 cases were booked. Of which 1,173 cases were settled. While there were zero convictions, 11 accused were acquitted. B report was filed in 275 cases.

In 2013, of the 1,925 cases filed under SC/ST Act, 1,287 cases were settled, while five convictions and 136 acquittals were reported. B report was filed in 405 cases.