<p>Bengaluru: Police themselves are “weakening” cases of atrocities against SC/STs by facilitating counter-complaints, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah fumed on Tuesday, as government data reflected countercases being filed in 28% of the cases in the last five years. </p><p> “Whenever there are caste atrocity cases, if the police themselves facilitate the filing of counter-complaints and try to weaken the cases, it won’t be tolerated,” the chief minister fumed while chairing a meeting of the State Vigilance and Monitoring Committee.</p><p>Over the past five years (2020-24), there have been countercases in 28.44% of the cases (3,118 cases out of a total 10,961 cases witnessed countercomplaints).</p>.Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan among 18 booked under SC/ST Atrocities Act.<p>Taking severe exception to many accused easily getting bail in atrocity cases, the chief minister said: “Whenever the accused got easy bails in serious caste atrocity cases, how many times did you go to higher courts, got the bails cancelled and got them convicted? If the accused are getting bails, it’s your fault. Like this, we cannot prevent caste atrocities.”</p><p>Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Siddaramaiah noted that the conviction rate in atrocity cases had dropped from 10% in 2020 to 7% in 2024. </p><p>“I have given directions that it should be at least 10%. Public prosecutors and the police must have discussions in this regard. DCs must compulsorily conduct meetings once in 3 months on increasing the quantum of punishment in caste atrocity cases.” </p><p>He directed officials to ensure that cases are chargesheeted within 60 days of the FIR being filed.</p><p>Siddaramaiah added: “For some decades, the quantum of punishment in caste atrocity cases has not crossed 3%. For this reason, I have given the DCRE cells the power of a police station. Why is the situation still not improving?”</p><p>The chief minister noted that it was essential that the quantum of punishment increases since the burden of proof in such cases is on the accused.</p><p>MLC Sudham Das told the CM that only three specials courts have been sanctioned while 24 have still not been sanctioned. To this, chief secretary Shalini Rajneesh assured that they would ensure the courts get permission soon.</p><p>‘SPs, DCs responsible for Devadasi system’</p><p>Noting that the Devadasi system was prohibited, Siddaramaiah noted that action would be initiated against respective DCs and SPs if the decadent system is in practice in any district.</p><p>He asked district officials to rehabilitate devadasis and prevent further cases.</p><p>“Myself and the chief secretary are having a review meeting on the backlog issue and we will address that issue. We will also look into the issue of reservation in promotions.”</p>
<p>Bengaluru: Police themselves are “weakening” cases of atrocities against SC/STs by facilitating counter-complaints, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah fumed on Tuesday, as government data reflected countercases being filed in 28% of the cases in the last five years. </p><p> “Whenever there are caste atrocity cases, if the police themselves facilitate the filing of counter-complaints and try to weaken the cases, it won’t be tolerated,” the chief minister fumed while chairing a meeting of the State Vigilance and Monitoring Committee.</p><p>Over the past five years (2020-24), there have been countercases in 28.44% of the cases (3,118 cases out of a total 10,961 cases witnessed countercomplaints).</p>.Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan among 18 booked under SC/ST Atrocities Act.<p>Taking severe exception to many accused easily getting bail in atrocity cases, the chief minister said: “Whenever the accused got easy bails in serious caste atrocity cases, how many times did you go to higher courts, got the bails cancelled and got them convicted? If the accused are getting bails, it’s your fault. Like this, we cannot prevent caste atrocities.”</p><p>Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Siddaramaiah noted that the conviction rate in atrocity cases had dropped from 10% in 2020 to 7% in 2024. </p><p>“I have given directions that it should be at least 10%. Public prosecutors and the police must have discussions in this regard. DCs must compulsorily conduct meetings once in 3 months on increasing the quantum of punishment in caste atrocity cases.” </p><p>He directed officials to ensure that cases are chargesheeted within 60 days of the FIR being filed.</p><p>Siddaramaiah added: “For some decades, the quantum of punishment in caste atrocity cases has not crossed 3%. For this reason, I have given the DCRE cells the power of a police station. Why is the situation still not improving?”</p><p>The chief minister noted that it was essential that the quantum of punishment increases since the burden of proof in such cases is on the accused.</p><p>MLC Sudham Das told the CM that only three specials courts have been sanctioned while 24 have still not been sanctioned. To this, chief secretary Shalini Rajneesh assured that they would ensure the courts get permission soon.</p><p>‘SPs, DCs responsible for Devadasi system’</p><p>Noting that the Devadasi system was prohibited, Siddaramaiah noted that action would be initiated against respective DCs and SPs if the decadent system is in practice in any district.</p><p>He asked district officials to rehabilitate devadasis and prevent further cases.</p><p>“Myself and the chief secretary are having a review meeting on the backlog issue and we will address that issue. We will also look into the issue of reservation in promotions.”</p>