Hry Govt files review petition in SC

Haryana Government has filed a review petition in the Supreme Court to review the judgment given by the court on the provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

The Supreme Court, in its judgement dated March 20 had said that under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 Government employees and citizens could not be arrested without prior permission, and they could be arrested only after investigation under the rules.

The Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Krishan Kumar Bedi while talking to the mediapersons here on Friday said that the Central Government had filed a review petition on this issue to safeguard the interests of the people belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Haryana Government has also filed a review petition in this regard through standing counsel, BK Satija, in the Supreme Court so that people belonging to these sections could get relief, said the Minister.

The Apex Court will hear the matter on May 3.

Following the judgement of the Apex Court in SC/ST Act in March, a delegation of senior Haryana BJP leaders including MP Ratan Lal Kataria, Transport Minister Krishan Lal Panwar, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Krishan Kumar Bedi among others had on April 2 met Chief Minister Manohar Lal asking him to look into the matter and urge the Central Government to file a review petition against the Supreme Court’s ruling.

Another delegation of SC organisations had met the Chief Minister urging him to raise the issue with the Centre.

Haryana Government had then decided to file a review petition in the Supreme Court on alleged dilution of SC/ST Act.

The State Government had also decided to constitute a committee to find out facts about the involvement of people in the untoward incidents that happened during the ‘Bharat Bandh’ on April 2 in Haryana.

The committee will review all cases registered by the police on that day and if any evidence is found, action will be taken against the culprits and the innocent will be released, the Minister said.

Notably, incidents of violence were reported from Faridabad, Bhiwani, Karnal, Hisar, Yamunanagar, Kaithal, Jind, Fatehabad among other places in Haryana during April 2 ‘Bharat Bandh’. Following this, more than thousands were booked for indulging in violence, loot, attempt to murder and attacking police during the dalit protest against alleged dilution of SC/ST Act.

Several states were affected by violence and clashes following Bharat Bandh call given by SC/ST organisations protesting the Supreme Court's March 20 judgement.

Bedi also said that the State Government is committed to protecting the interests of Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes and poor and maintaining social harmony. Many unique schemes and programmes have been launched for the welfare of these people during the last three-and-a-half years, he said.

Vimukt Ghumantu Jati Vikas Board has been set up in the state to ameliorate the socio-economic status of nomadic tribes. Legal aid is also given to the people of nomadic tribes for prosecution of cases filed under the Protection of Civil Rights Act 1955, he added.

Bedi said the Haryana State Safai Karamchari Ayog had also been established to protect the rights of safai karamcharis. Seven Antyodaya Bhawans were set up on the 127th birth anniversary Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar to realize his dream of making the benefits of development reach everyone, he said.