The Supreme Court on Friday observed that atrocities against members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes communities are not a thing o...
The Supreme Court on Friday observed that atrocities against members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes communities are not a thing of the past and that the provisions enacted to protect their constitutional rights must be “enforced conscientiously”, reported PTI.
A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and BV Nagarathna made the observation while setting aside bail granted by the Rajasthan High Court to a man accused of murder. The man was also charged under provisions of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The petitioner, the victim in the case, had contended in his plea against the High Court bail order that he was not served a notice under Section 15A of the SC/ST Act as he was entitled under the law, reported Live Law.
To this, the Supreme Court observed that it was mandatory to serve the notice under Section 15A of the Act to the victim or their dependents.
Section 15A of the Act deals with the rights of victims and witnesses. Its sub-sections (3) and (5) make the victim or their dependents an active stakeholder in any criminal proceedings.
Sub-section (3) says that a victim or his dependent shall have the right to reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of any court proceeding, including any...
