Remove non-performing special public prosecutors, says CM Nitish Kumar

PATNA: CM Nitish Kumar on Friday asked the home department officials to remove all such special public prosecutors who are not taking interest in increasing the rate of conviction in the cases registered under the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

The special public prosecutors are lawyers hired by the state government to represent the state and the victims’ pleas in the special designated courts where cases registered under the SC/ST Act are tried.

Chairing a meeting of state-level vigilance and monitoring committee constituted under the Act at the CM secretariat here, Nitish asked the home department officials to review performance of all the special public prosecutors within two months and take action against those who are not discharging their duties seriously. “If necessary, remove all careless and inattentive special public prosecutors,” the CM said.

He said priority should be given to the lawyers hailing from the SC/ST communities in future selection of special public prosecutors.

Reviewing the data related to the rate of conviction in the cases registered under the Act, Nitish asked the home department officials to take necessary steps to increase rate of conviction by ensuring speedy trials in such cases.

He asked the additional chief secretary (home) Amir Subhani to hold a meeting with the director general of police, inspector general of police (weaker section), additional DG (CID) and director (prosecution) and review the pending cases to find out as to why the rate of conviction was not increasing.

The CM asked the DGP to ensure a police station-wise review of pending cases and take necessary steps to ensure speedy trial in those cases.

He also called for regular meeting of district-level vigilance and monitoring committees constituted under the Act. The district magistrates head such committees.

The CM said the state revenue and land reforms department should launch a special campaign to provide homestead land to all the landless families in the SC/ST categories. “The local administration should ensure that the SC/ST families get possession on the land provided by the government,” Nitish said.

The CM further asked the home department officials to prepare a time-bound work plan to construct buildings in all SC/ST special police stations.

Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, SC/ST welfare minister Ramesh Rishidev, MLC Ashok Choudhary, transport minister Santosh Nirala and several MLAs hailing from SC/ST communities attended the meeting.