Maharashtra to set up special courts for atrocity cases

Maharashtra government would soon set up special courts in every division for speedy trial of atrocity cases keeping in view the huge pendency, which has jumped to over 5,000 and the low conviction rate.

A decision in this regard was taken yesterday by chief minister Prithviraj Chavan in the backdrop of Union social justice and empowerment minister Mukul Wasnik's visit to the state last week, to review the implementation of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and Protection of Civil Rights Act.

Wasnik had expressed concern over the low conviction rate in the state and high number of pending cases.

"The proposal would be prepared by the state social justice department and send to the Bombay high court to set up the special courts in all seven divisional headquarters," an official from the home department said.

The conviction rate in Atrocities Act cases in Maharashtra is 3%, while the national conviction rate under the act is 30%, the official said.

Around 1,296 cases of atrocities were registered in the state in 2009 of which 1,072 were against Scheduled Castes and 224 against Scheduled Tribes.