BharatNotes Prevention of Atrocities Act
/prɪˈvenʃən əv əˈtrɒsɪtɪz ækt/The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 — a Central legislation that defines and penalises specific offences of caste-based violence and humiliation committed by non-SC/ST persons against SC/ST members, establishes Special Courts for speedy trials, mandates appointment of Special Public Prosecutors, and provides for relief and rehabilitation of victims; amended in 2015 to add 25 more offences (total 47) and to override the requirement of prior sanction before FIR registration.
Context & Background
Enacted after the Indian Civil Rights Act (PCR Act, 1955) proved inadequate — it only addressed untouchability-based discrimination, not physical violence. The POA Act creates Special Courts (designated by states) and confers non-bailable, non-compoundable status to all offences. The Supreme Court's dilution in Subhash Kashinath Mahajan (2018) — adding preliminary inquiry requirements — led to nationwide SC/ST protests and the 2018 Amendment Act which nullified the court directions. The landmark Prithvi Raj Chauhan (2020) judgment upheld the 2018 Amendment.
UPSC Exam Relevance
GS2 Social Justice — Prelims: PCR Act 1955 → POA Act 1989 → 2015 Amendment (25 new offences, total 47) → 2018 Amendment (overriding Mahajan judgment); Special Courts; mandatory appointment of Special Public Prosecutors; non-bailable + non-compoundable; states must submit annual reports to Parliament. Mains: Mahajan case controversy; 2018 Amendment as legislative override of judiciary; conviction rates under POA Act (very low — ~30%); reporting vs actual atrocity gap; NCRB annual data; need for attitudinal change beyond legal reform.
