SC/ST Act dilution: TN to file review petition

Tamil Nadu would become the second non-BJP ruled state to challenge the apex court’s recent direction which had taken off teeth out of the SC/ST (prevention of atrocities) Act. 

Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami chaired a high-level meeting to discuss the fallout of the judgment and its ramifications it would have on SC/ST populace in the state. The meeting was attended by senior ministers including Deputy CM O Panneerselvam, Dindigul C Sreenivasan, P Thangamani, SP Velumani, D Jayakumar, KP Anbalagan, and Adi-Dravida Welfare Minister VM Rajalakshmi. 

It was decided during the meeting that the state would immediately join the litigation process and such orders were issued to the officials to take steps for the same.

“Certain direction from the Supreme Court of the said law was taken up for an exhaustive review. Considering the welfare of the SC/ST citizens from here, CM directed that a review petition be filed in the Supreme Court immediately in their interest,” a release that followed the meeting read. 

On Monday, Leader of Opposition MK Stalin led the Opposition parties in the state in a protest and demanded the Centre should either filed a review petition or include the Act in the 9th Schedule of the Constitution. “The agitation of the Opposition would continue if the Centre does not do one of the two,”  Stalin warned. 

The apex court, in its March 20 order, had ruled that the said law’s misuse was so much so that it led to innocent citizens being framed as accused and public servants being deterred from performing their duties. 

The court also laid down guidelines allowing accused booked under the said law get anticipatory bail which is refused as per the existing provisions of law.