LS passes Bill to restore SC/ST Act provisions

New Delhi, August 6

The Lok Sabha on Monday passed a Bill to reverse a judgment of the Supreme Court and restore original provisions of a law on atrocities against Dalits and tribals.

The Bill, an amendment to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, was passed with voice vote.

The Bill negates a Supreme Court judgment of March 20. It states that the investigating officer will not require the approval of any authority for the arrest of an accused and a preliminary inquiry will not be required for filing an FIR.

The Act states that those accused of committing an offence under the Act cannot apply for anticipatory bail. The amendment Bill clarified that this provision would apply despite any orders of a court that provide otherwise.

The Congress wanted the amendment placed under Schedule 9, putting it outside the SC’s purview. — TNS