RAP FROM PM
SLAP ON WRIST PM shoots off a letter to CM Virbhadra Singh in this regard
SHIMLA: Taking exception to low conviction rate in crimes against SC/STs, PM has written to CM Virbhadra.
SHIMLA: Taking strong exception to the low conviction rate in cases pertaining to crimes against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SCs/STs), Centre has asked the Himachal Pradesh government to take strong measures to improve conviction rate.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh shot off a letter to chief minister Virbhadra Singh in this regard.
The conviction rate in cases pertaining to atrocities on scheduled castes and schedule tribes in Himachal is as low as 5%, while the national average is 35% in cases pertaining to scheduled castes and 25% in the case of scheduled tribes.
The Prime Minister, in his two page letter, stated that the issue was highlighted at a meeting of the National Development Council (NDC) in New Delhi. Singh asked the state government to take measures to improve the conviction rate.
The details submitted by the state point that during the last one decade ( 2002- 2012) 839 cases were registered under the SC/ ST ( Prevention of Atrocities) Act. More surprising is the fact that cancellation reports were given in 318 cases. The cases were cancelled due delay in conviction. The complainants either withdrew their compliants or struck a comprise with the other party in the wake of the delay. Police had filed challans in 499 cases, while 273 cases ended in acquittals.
The Centre also took strong note of the cases filed under the Prevention of Civil Rights (PCR) Act-1955. During the past one decade a total of 41 cases were filed and challans were filed in 34 cases. Till date, only 22 cases have been decided, while 12 cases are still pending in courts.
The conviction rate in the PCR Act has been worked out at 5 %. The status report prepared by the police states that false and fabricated cases were also registered.
The justification given by the state government for the low conviction rate is that 80% cases filed in courts end in acquittals due to hostile witnesses.
After getting a rap from the Prime Minister the state government has decided that these cases will now be monitored at a different levels -director general of police (DGP), inspector general of police (IGP) (Range) and by district police chiefs.
During the high-level meeting here under the chief secretary Sudripta Roy, it was decided that under the Vishwas Yojana, the district police chief will visit particular areas inhabited by SC and ST communities to keep an eye on and to prevent atrocities.
It was also decided that courses would be conducted courses for judges, prosecutors and police officials dealing with such cases.