Exclusive courts to deal with SC/ST atrocity cases in Haryana

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday directed the authorities concerned to take up the matter on priority basis regarding the setting up of exclusive courts to deal with the cases registered under the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. To begin with, such courts will be set up in four districts where the pendency of cases is comparatively high.

Chief Minister Khattar was presiding over the meeting of State Level Vigilance and Monitoring Committee to review the progress made under the provision of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Rules, 1995 here. Housing and Jail Minister Krishan Lal Panwar and Minister of State for Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes Krishan Kumar Bedi were also present in the meeting.

"The meeting was informed that the Punjab and Haryana High Court has already notified a Court of the Additional District Judge 1 (senior most Additional District and Sessions Judge) in each district of the state as Special Court to deal with the cases of atrocities under the Act. However, the matter of setting up of Exclusive Courts is under the consideration," said an official statement issued after the meeting.

"The cases under the Act are required to be decided by the Courts within a period of two months. Regarding setting up of six Fast Track Courts in those districts where 50 or more cases of rape, eve-teasing, and mental harassment are pending in the courts, it was informed that the matter has already been taken with the High Court. The state government has already sanctioned the required supporting staff for these Fast Track Courts and the same would be set up soon," added the statement.

The meeting was also informed that all necessary steps were being taken to prevent and curb atrocities on members of Scheduled Castes by enforcing in right earnest the provisions of the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes Act, 1989. As and when a report regarding an atrocity committed on any member of the Scheduled Caste is received, the criminal case is registered and prompt action against the accused is taken under relevant sections of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes Act, 1989 apart from relevant sections of IPC. "A Special Cell has been set-up at Police Headquarter, Panchkula to deal with the crime against Scheduled Castes in the state," further added the statement.