Open Access Research Article
THE SC/ST (PREVENTION OF ATROCITIES) ACT, 1989: LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS AND IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES
Abstract
The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
(Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, represents a significant legislative
measure aimed at preventing caste-based discrimination, violence and atrocities
against marginalized communities in India. Despite constitutional safeguards
and successive legislative reforms, the effective implementation of the Act
continues to face several legal, administrative and institutional challenges.
This review paper critically examines the legislative evolution of the Act,
with particular emphasis on the 2015 and 2018 amendments, judicial
interpretations and mechanisms established for protecting victims and ensuring
access to justice. Adopting a doctrinal research methodology, the study reviews
statutory provisions, landmark judicial decisions, government reports and
existing academic literature. It identifies major implementation challenges,
including delays in registering complaints, inadequate investigation, low
conviction rates, prolonged judicial proceedings, witness intimidation and
deficiencies in victim compensation and rehabilitation. The paper further
examines the role of Special Courts, law enforcement agencies and
administrative authorities in enforcing statutory protections. It emphasizes the
need for effective institutional coordination, timely investigation and
strengthened victim protection mechanisms. The study concludes that legislative
reforms must be accompanied by effective enforcement, administrative commitment
and public awareness to achieve the objectives of social justice, equality and
human dignity.
Keywords: SC/ST (Prevention of
Atrocities) Act, 1989; Legislative Amendments; Caste-Based Atrocities; Judicial
Interpretation; Implementation Challenges; Social Justice.
Published Paper
Author Details
Authors: N. SRIKANTH BABU Registration ID: 1013537 | Published Paper ID: IJLRA13537Approved ISSN: 2582-6433 | Country: Delhi, IndiaPage No.: 85-106
Article Information
THE SC/ST (PREVENTION OF ATROCITIES) ACT, 1989: LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS AND IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES
Authors: N. SRIKANTH BABU
- Journal IJLRA
- ISSN 2582-6433
- Volume 3
- Issue 8
About Journal
International Journal for Legal Research and Analysis
- AbbreviationIJLRA
- ISSN2582-6433
- AccessOpen Access
- LicenseCC 4.0
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