15-day review for atrocity complaints, says SP

Shivamogga: Superintendent of Police B Nikhil said there is a 15-day review period for complaints filed under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, and that an FIR need not be registered immediately in every case.He was responding to a committee member’s complaint that police were delaying the registration of FIRs under the Act at a meeting of the District-Level Vigilance and Monitoring Committee on atrocities held at the deputy commissioner’s office here on Wednesday.Nikhil said an FIR could be registered within the 15-day period, otherwise, a formal endorsement rejecting the complaint would be issued.A total of 161 cases have been registered under the Act in the district, including 23 at Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE) police stations and 138 at other police stations. Charge sheets have been filed in 73 cases, while B-reports (closure reports) have been filed in 26 cases.Compensation of Rs 52 lakh was sanctioned at the initial stage in 123 cases, while Rs 16 lakh was sanctioned at the charge-sheet stage. Investigating officers conduct detailed inquiries, following which the Inspector General reviews the cases before a B-report is submitted, Nikhil said.Appeal rate just 0.2% for acquittals under SC/ST atrocities ActPresiding over the meeting, Deputy Commissioner Prabhulinga Kavalikatti directed officials to act promptly in cases involving atrocities against SC and ST communities and ensure timely investigation, justice and disbursement of relief to victims.The deputy commissioner directed officials to conduct a joint survey and submit an immediate report on the land rights of 49 Dalit families in Kachagondanahalli village in Bhadravathi taluk. The families have not received land rights despite provisions under the Karnataka Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prohibition of Transfer of Certain Lands) Act, 1978.Kavalikatti said he would hold a separate meeting with the Bhadravathi tahsildar and assistant commissioner to expedite the process of allotting land to the affected families.He also directed officials to ensure that a house allotted to civic worker Rathnamma under the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Scheme in Bhadravathi town was handed over to her. An unauthorised person is reportedly occupying the house. He warned that legal action would be initiated against the City Municipal Council commissioner if the house was not handed over to the beneficiary within 20 days.Officials were also directed to provide road access and khata records to residents of Buddha Nagar and Ambedkar Nagar in Shivamogga city, which have been declared slums. The tahsildar, assistant director of Land Records and Corporation officials were instructed to inspect the areas and submit a report within three days.Temple entryCommittee member Basavaraj said SC and ST communities continued to face restrictions on entering some temples in rural areas and alleged that discrimination persisted. He urged the authorities to install prominent signboards stating that all communities have equal access to the temples.The deputy commissioner directed the assistant commissioner to examine the issue and take steps to install the necessary signboards after obtaining permission from the Muzrai Department.ZP CEO Rishi Anand was present.

Source: Deccan Herald