Karnataka's Chief Minister Declares War on Legal Delays
- Krishna Shinde
- 15 Jan 2024 , 3:50 AM
- Bengaluru
- 120
Bengaluru:In a significant development, the Chief Minister of Karnataka highlighted key concerns regarding the prosecution of cases under the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) and the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act.
The Chief Minister pointed out that if a charge sheet is not filed within 90 days under the CrPC or within 60 days under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, it could lead to easier bail for the accused.
Expressing concern over the conviction rate which stands at a mere 3.44% under the Prevention of Atrocities Act, the Chief Minister stated that this indicates a historical negligence towards atrocities against SC/ST communities. He firmly declared that such neglect would not be tolerated by the government.
To address these issues, the Chief Minister emphasized the need for accountability. He stated that it is crucial to hold the Superintendent of Police (S.P.) and Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) directly responsible for these matters and take appropriate actions.
The Chief Minister further stressed that the progress of investigations into caste violence cases should be reviewed on a monthly basis. The alarmingly low conviction rate at 3.44% underscores the failure of prosecution efforts.
In addition, Karnataka ranks 21st in the country in terms of punishment, leading to a high number of accused individuals escaping legal consequences. The Chief Minister called for stringent actions against those who evade justice.
To address these issues effectively, the Chief Minister announced that circulars would be issued to all Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and district in-charge ministers, instructing them to review the progress of violence cases during Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) meetings. Another circular will be issued mandating district commissioners to conduct meetings and assess progress.
The Chief Minister underlined the necessity of these actions due to the insufficient review of caste violence cases in district and taluk KDP meetings. MLAs, District Ministers, and DC-SPs have been urged to ensure strict compliance with these directives.