NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment notified the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Rules, on April 14, the birthday of Babasaheb Ambedkar, according to an official statement here today.
The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 was amended by Parliament in 2016. The amendments made stronger provisions for the protection of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes from atrocities against them.
Rules have now been framed to give effect to the amended provisions. These rules will speed up the process of dispensation of justice to victims of atrocities, are strongly sensitive in cases of offences against women, and liberalise and expedite access to relief for the members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes who have been victims of atrocities.
Some of the important provisions include completion of investigation and filing of charge sheet in the court within 60 days; provision of relief for offences of rape and gang rape; delinking requirement of medical examination for getting relief amount for non-invasive kind of offences against women like sexual harassment, gestures or acts intended to insult the modesty of women, assault or use of criminal force with intent to disrobe, etc. (AGENCIES)
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