Mumbai, July 22: To improve the poor conviction rate in atrocity cases against Dalits, Maharashtra government has proposed to set up special courts for quick trial of such cases. “We have proposed to set up special courts to deal with atrocity cases against Dalits and the proposal has been sent to the Law and Judiciary Department for approval,” Home Minister R R Patil informed the Legislative Council today.
Shiv Sena MLC Neelam Gorhe raised the issue in the House and asked the government to explain the reasons behind low conviction rate in the atrocity cases against Dalits. She cited figures by the National Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission, which indicates that conviction rate in these cases in the state is only three per cent.
Citing reasons, Patil said delay in registering complaint and conducting investigations, non-cooperation of witnesses and failure to verify caste certificates were the main causes. “The state government has appointed a committee to overcome such hurdles and improve the conviction rate,” Patil said.
Another Shiv Sena MLC Diwakar Raote alleged the Atrocity Act was being misused and false complaints were being lodged and sought to know if the government would make any changes in the Act in view of false complaints being lodged. To this, Patil said the government has no plans to amend the Act, adding that a Deputy SP level official verifies these cases before lodging the complaints under the Act.
—-PTI—-