SC/ST Atrocities Act Cases Rise to 53,372 in 2023; Convictions Double by 2024
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment presented data in Rajya Sabha showing a rise in registered cases under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act from 45,995 in 2020 to 53,372 in 2023. Convictions and convicted persons more than doubled by 2024, highlighting ongoing challenges in justice delivery.
Background
The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, aims to prevent atrocities against SC/ST communities. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) compiles crime data in its 'Crime in India' report. The data covers 28 states and UTs from 2020 to 2024.
Key facts
Registered cases under the Act rose from 45,995 in 2020 to 53,372 in 2023 (five-year high), then declined to 48,669 in 2024.
Convictions increased from 2,613 in 2020 to 5,192 in 2024 (five-year high).
Persons convicted rose from 4,855 in 2020 to 10,839 in 2024 (more than double).
Chargesheets filed in 2024: 40,614 cases; persons chargesheeted: 84,215.
Pending trials increased from 177,379 in 2020 to 287,694 in 2024.
Arrests in 2024: 55,286; persons chargesheeted: 84,215.
In 2023, 45,439 cases were chargesheeted out of 53,372 registered; 14,634 cases under investigation.
Highest number of persons chargesheeted was in 2023: 90,664.
Prelims pointers
- SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
- National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)
- Crime in India report
- Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
- Rajya Sabha
- 2020-2024 data period
- 28 states and UTs covered
Mains angles
- GS2: Social Justice – Issues related to SC/ST welfare and protection of rights.
- GS2: Polity – Effectiveness of the SC/ST Act in preventing atrocities and ensuring justice.
- GS3: Internal Security – Role of law enforcement in handling crimes against vulnerable groups.