Conviction rate in PoA cases on decline between 2011 and 2013

The rate of conviction in cases registered under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act has declined between 2011 and 2013, Lok Sabha was informed today.
Giving details of cases registered under the Prevention of Atrocities (PoA) Act for 3 year from National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, Minister of State for Social Justice Vijay Sampla in a written reply said the conviction rate in PoA cases in the country was 23.9 per cent in 2013, while the previous year of 2012 had recorded a conviction rate of 24.1 per cent.
The conviction rate in 2011 was 31.9 per cent.

While a total number of 39,346 cases were registered under the PoA in 2013, 33,592 and 33,652 cases were recorded in 2012 and 2011 respectively.
According to the Minister, the NCRB has not provided the data for the year 2014.
The disposal of cases, Sampla said, may be influenced by several factors like witnesses turning hostile, belated prosecution, loss of interest by the victims and witnesses due to long delay in completion of trail, absence of corroborative evidence.

Responding to another question, Sampla said the ministry of social justice and empowerment has already addressed a notice to the Lok Sabha Secretary General for consideration and passing of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill, 2014 during the ongoing session of Parliament.

The amendments would cover various things including establishing rights of victims and witnesses and strengthening preventive measures.
"The objective of proposed amendments in the PoA Act is to deliver members of SCs and STs greater justice as well as be an enhanced deterrent to the offenders," Sampla said.