(TOI)
The Centre moved the Supreme Court on Monday seeking restoration of mandatory arrest for offences under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and an immediate review through open court hearing of the apex court’s March 20 judgment that diluted the stringent provision. The order, and subsequent mobilisation, led to a nationwide agitation by Dalits and tribals.
A writ petition filed by the All India Federation of SC/ST Organisations was mentioned by advocate Manoj Gorkela before a bench headed by CJI Dipak Misra for urgent hearing by a five-judge bench with regard to the controversy and the violent situation. The bench said since the Centre has also filed a petition seeking a review of the judgment, it would hear all pleas together in the coming days.
The petition was filed days after PM Narendra Modi assured a delegation of Dalit MPs that a review would be sought. The government, under attack for not moving quickly on the issue, filed its plea and underlined its commitment to the protection of Scheduled Castes and Tribes under the law.
