86% cases of atrocities against Dalits pending in Maharashtra

Union minister for social justice and empowerment Mukul Wasnik has expressed serious concern over extremely low conviction rates in cases related to atrocities against Dalits across the nation. The total cases registered under Dalit atrocities across the country has crossed 30,000.

The scenario in Maharashtra is no better with percentage of cases pending trial against Dalit atrocities at 86.5%. The average conviction rate in the state is only 7%. The decision to set up special trial courts for such cases has been approved by the Centre and required state cabinet decision. 

Wasnik who convened a high-level meeting with state department officials in Mumbai said, “The government needs to put in place an effective mechanism so that action against the guilty is taken promptly.” 

He was candid in admitting that conviction rate was extremely low across states, including Maharashtra. What states lack is expeditious follow-up of the cases coupled with action against erring individuals.

“The government does not want to make a hue and cry about the numbers as it would dissuade administration from registering the crime. Instead, our effort is to see how quick justice can be delivered to the victims and guilty booked. The rate of conviction is poor across the country with some states like Karnataka showing 2%,” he said. “The discrimination against the suppressed section is a reality.”