Bharat Bandh: System blocks Dalits from filing atrocity complaints, say experts

On Monday, the nation witnessed a 'Bharat Bandh' as Dalits organizations protested against the recent order of the Supreme Court which banned automatic arrests and registration of criminal cases under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. However, data from the records of the state police have revealed that the cases of atrocities against SCs and STs have fallen between 2012 and 2016.

On the contrary, experts have pointed out that the societal structure and the administrative system in India discourages the SC/ST community from registering the cases leading to the fall in numbers.

In 2016, the disposal of cases by the police for crimes committed against SC revealed that 34 cases ended as the 
final reports were found to be false while 15 cases ended as there were glitches in the facts. An appalling number of 252 cases were pending investigation at the end of 2016.

"The entire system is slanted in a manner that not only people belonging from the SC and ST community are discouraged from registering complaints, but are also punished or penalised for registering complaints. The paperwork adds to their woes. The provisions in the act are also insufficient in meeting the challenges which are faced by a person who belong to these classes. The Act needs to be further strengthened," said senior advocate Mehmood Pracha, who has been an advisor to statutory bodies framing policies for cases involving Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Addition Director General of Police (Law and Order), Maharashtra, Bipin Bihari said, "In atrocity cases there is a legal provision which states that if any officer refuses to register the case, then the officer is liable for punishment. First the case has to be taken and then evidence should be gathered to ascertain further legal actions."