Do not misuse laws, SC refused to stay the Amendments to SC/ST Act

New Delhi, January 24: The Supreme Court today refused to stay the amendments made to the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act which restored the no anticipatory bail provision for the accused. 

A bench headed by Justice A K Sikri said the pending review petition filed by the Centre against the apex court's March 20, 2018 verdict and the pleas challenging the new amendments made in the SC/ST verdict will be taken up together.

 

Justice Lalit was part of a bench which had passed the March 20, 2018 verdict, taking note of the alleged misuse of the SC/ST Act against government servants and held that there shall be no immediate arrest on any complaint filed under the law.

By way of the Amendment, a new section 18A has been inserted in the Act of 1989, which does away with the court-imposed requirements of undertaking a preliminary inquiry and of procuring approval prior to making an arrest.

The grievance of the petitioners arises from the fact that even as the review of the controversial verdict of the Supreme Court lies pending, the Amendment was cleared by the Parliament on August 9, rendering the judgment redundant.