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Karnataka’s Department of Social Welfare has released a ready reckoner to help police deal better with crimes against SC/ ST persons. The ready reckoner handbook details all sections under the Prevention of Atrocities Act and ensures that persons from oppressed and marginalised communities are also able to access justice.
The Social Welfare department’s ready reckoner for police officers contains all the provisions of the Prevention of Atrocities (SC/ST) Act, and offers guidance to authorities on taking appropriate action.
The handbook will help avoid confusion regarding inclusion of correct Sections while filing First Information Reports (FIRs) on cases pertaining to atrocities against Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).
Welcoming the handbook, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwara, said, “I am happy that the department of social welfare is bringing out this handbook for our police officers and other officials. This is a step in the right direction, towards a just and equal society for all. I would advice that all concerned authorities become thoroughly familiar with the provisions of the law, and help our government deliver true justice to all sections of society.”
Karnataka’s Social Welfare Minister Priyank Kharge, said the handbook would have details of provisions and regulations pertaining to the Prevention of Atrocities against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Act 2015 and the amended rules of 2016.
He said this would enable the police to record the relevant clauses in the FIRs and, thereby, ensure that the victims are able to access justice and can take suitable recourse under law.
Kharge said, “For long there has been confusion over the available provisions of the SC/ST Act. Failure to mention the specific clauses, rules and regulations in the FIRs had in the past resulted in submitting unsuitable arguments before the courts, and thus we have not been able to provide true justice to the victim.”
He added, in case of serious atrocities the Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police of the districts concerned are required to immediately visit the place of the incident to conduct spot inspections and assess the loss of life and property. They will also need to hold meetings to establish peace, provide suitable protection and relief to the victims. Details of the compensation, food, water, clothes, shelter and medical assistance to be provided to the victims are also incorporated in the handbook; this would be a useful compendium for the district administration.
The handbook has guidance for police officers when filing FIRs. Specific clauses and provisions of the law have been mentioned so as to ensure justice and relief to the victims. With this, the government hopes to secure justice to even the most oppressed communities, the minister said.
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