In Brief
The Supreme Court examined a petition challenging the non-implementation of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The Court found widespread failure by authorities to comply with the Act's provisions, including non-setting up of mandated special officers, nodal officers, and protection cells; failure to identify atrocity-prone areas; lack of rehabilitation packages; and non-payment of compensation to victims. The Court directed the Central and State Governments to strictly enforce the Act's provisions and directed National Commissions to discharge their duties to protect Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Petitioners were permitted to approach authorities and High Courts for further grievances.
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