GS-II: Governance, Polity, IR
SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
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Enacted in 1989 and strengthened by the Prevention of Atrocities (Amendment) Act 2015 and Rules 2016, this law defines specific offences against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. It establishes Special Courts and Exclusive Special Courts for speedy trial, provides relief and rehabilitation to victims, and restricts anticipatory bail for accused persons. Constitutional grounding rests on Articles 15, 17, and 46. The Supreme Court's Subhash Kashinath Mahajan (2018) judgment interpreted bail and inquiry provisions, prompting a legislative override to restore original protections.