Question

What are the provisions of the Prevention of Atrocities (Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes) Act, 1989

1. The act prohibits the arrest of any person accused of committing an atrocity against a member of the SC/ST community unless written permission is obtained from the senior superintendent of police.
2. The act provides for the payment of compensation to the victims or their families.
3. The act provides for the setting up of a special investigative team to investigate offences under the act.
4. The act also provides for the protection of witnesses and victims.

• A. All of these
• B. iii, iv
• C. i, iv
• D. ii only

Answer 1

Answer:

A. All of these

The Prevention of Atrocities (Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes) Act, 1989

• It is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted to protect members of the scheduled castes and tribes from atrocities.
• The act is also popularly known as the SC/ST Act or POA.
• The act was amended in 2013, and the changes were brought into effect on January 14, 2016.
• The Act defines various offenses and crimes committed against SCs and STs as atrocities.
• This includes crimes such as assault, sexual exploitation, and intimidation.

Provisions of the Act includes :

Special Courts

• The Act provides for the establishment of special courts to expedite the trial of offenses under its purview.
• These special courts are designated to ensure a speedy and effective justice delivery system specifically for cases related to atrocities against SCs and STs.

Restriction on Arrest:

• The act prohibits the arrest of any person accused of committing an atrocity against a member of the SC/ST community without obtaining written permission from the senior superintendent of police.
• This provision is aimed at preventing the misuse of the legal process and ensuring a fair and judicious approach to investigations.

Compensation for Victims:

• The act includes provisions for the payment of compensation to the victims or their families.
• This is a crucial aspect of the legislation, emphasizing the need to address the socio-economic impact of atrocities and provide financial support to those affected.

Special Investigative Team:

• The act provides for the establishment of a special investigative team to probe offenses under its purview.
• This special team is tasked with ensuring a focused and efficient investigation process, specifically tailored to handle cases related to atrocities against members of the SC/ST community.

Protection of Witnesses and Victims:

• Recognizing the vulnerability of witnesses and victims, the act incorporates provisions for their protection.
• This includes measures to safeguard them from intimidation or harm, thereby creating a secure environment for the reporting and prosecution of offenses.