SC verdict on SC/ST Act: Pb Assembly passes resolution

The Punjab Assembly here today passed a unanimous resolution seeking that the Centre file a review petition or bring an amendment in the legislation in the wake of the recent Supreme Court verdict on the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities (POA) Act.

During the Zero Hour, the matter was raised by ruling Congress's Jalandhar (West) MLA, Sushil Kumar Rinku, who expressed serious concern over the judgement and demanded a review of the same or an amendment in the law.

He drew support from Cabinet Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, who said a resolution should be passed by the House.

Channi told the Assembly that "diluting" the provisions would lead to "great miscarriage of justice".

"It will lead to a sense of insecurity among Dalits. We demand that a review petition should be filed by the Centre against the verdict. Here, we should pass a resolution," he said.

Channi also launched an attack on the BJP led government at the Centre, dubbing it as "anti-Dalit".

Later, the Speaker told the members that it was a "sensitive issue" and sought the sense of the House.

The Speaker later declared a resolution had been passed by the House unanimously.

Significantly, the Centre is facing demands from various quarters on seeking a review of the judgement of the Supreme Court that protects public servants and private employees from arbitrary arrests under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

In a bid to protect honest public servants discharging bona fide duties from being blackmailed with false cases under the SC/ST Act, the apex court on March 20 diluted the stringent provisions mandating immediate arrest under the law.