New report reveals alarming trends in caste-based violence and declining conviction rates
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – A recent government report has unveiled a concerning trend regarding atrocities against Scheduled Castes (SCs) in the country, indicating that a staggering 97.7% of all such incidents in 2022 were reported from just 13 states. Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh were identified as the states with the highest number of cases.
According to the report published under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, a total of 51,656 cases were registered against SCs last year. Uttar Pradesh topped the list with 12,287 cases, accounting for 23.78% of them. Rajasthan followed with 8,651 cases (16.75%), while Madhya Pradesh reported 7,732 cases (14.97%). Other states with significant figures include Bihar (6,799 cases, 13.16%), Odisha (3,576 cases, 6.93%), and Maharashtra (2,706 cases, 5.24%). Together, these six states made up nearly 81% of the total cases.
“Of the total 51,656 cases registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act as well as the Indian Penal Code in 2022, 97.7% of the cases were collectively from 13 states,” the report said. In terms of atrocities against Scheduled Tribes (STs), Madhya Pradesh again led with 2,979 cases (30.61%), followed by Rajasthan with 2,498 cases (25.66%) and Odisha with 773 cases (7.94%).
The report also provided insights into the legal proceedings surrounding these cases. In incidents involving SCs, chargesheets were filed in 60.38% of cases, while 14.78% were dismissed due to false claims or lack of evidence. By the end of 2022, 17,166 cases remained under investigation. In ST cases, the charge-sheet filing rate was slightly higher at 63.32%, with 2,702 cases still pending investigation.
A troubling finding from the report is the decline in conviction rates under the SC/ST Act, which fell to 32.4% in 2022 from 39.2% in 2020. This decline raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of legal protections for marginalised communities.
The report highlighted the insufficient number of special courts established to handle SC/ST cases, noting that only 194 out of 498 districts in 14 states had set up such courts. This inadequacy has resulted in significant delays in judicial processes for many victims.
Interestingly, despite having the highest number of cases, Uttar Pradesh reported no districts classified as “atrocity-prone.” Only 10 states and union territories identified specific districts at risk of caste-based violence, with others, including Uttar Pradesh, claiming that no such areas exist.
The report calls for targeted interventions in high-incidence districts to reduce caste-based violence and provide better protection for vulnerable communities. It notes the establishment of SC/ST protection cells in several states, including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh, as well as the creation of special police stations in five states to handle complaints of atrocities against SCs and STs.
However, it emphasises the urgent need for more dedicated resources and action to prevent escalating atrocities and improve conviction rates. This comprehensive report underscores the ongoing challenges faced by marginalised communities in India and highlights the need for stronger legal protections and more efficient law enforcement mechanisms to combat caste-based atrocities effectively.
