SC panel chief raps police on ignorance about laws, laxity on FIRs

National Commission for Scheduled Castes chairperson Ram Shankar Katheria on Wednesday chided Rajasthan Police for ignorance about laws relating to deaths in sewerages, despite 13 such deaths in 2016-17.

Katheria was on a day-long visit to Jaipur for a review meeting on the development schemes for SCs and atrocity cases against them.

Addressing the media after the meeting, Katheria said a big issue during the meeting with police was related to sewer deaths. He said officials were not aware of the Supreme Court guidelines.

“I have told the police officers to ensure that Supreme Court orders are followed.”

According to the SC guidelines, in case of death of a worker in a sewer, a case has to be lodged under section 302 of IPC against the official or contractor who sent the worker.

The department has to give compensation of Rs10 lakh and after an FIR under SC/ST Act, another Rs 8.25 lakh compensation is given.

The deceased’s wife is to be given a government job and pension and his children will get free education till graduation.

Katheria said that during the meeting with police officials he found that there was laxity regarding cross FIRs and FIRs ordered through courts under section 156 (3) of CrPC.

Katheria said in cases under 156 (3), 20% cases were found to be true. “This means police didn’t file FIRs in 20% cases. I have told officials that action should be taken against the guilty.”

Katheria said in cases of murder and rape against Scheduled Castes, the chargesheet has to be filed in six months as only then the victims could get benefit of full compensation but it is happening in few cases.

“I have asked officials to ensure that chargeheets are filed within six months,” he said.

He said during his interaction with the public in the morning, many of them had raised the issue of those arrested for violence during the Bharat Bandh.

He said of the 664 arrested, only 16-17 were still in jail. “ The government has assured us that they will be released within seven days and cases against those who are innocent will be withdrawn.

Katheria said the commission has written to the president and prime minister that diluting the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act will lead to more crimes against SC and STs.

He appreciated some schemed of the state government and said he would suggest the Niti Aayog to replicate them in other states.