Maharashtra has witnessed widespread protests by Marathas alleging that Dalits have been misusing the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act of 1989 to target them.
The data, however, has something else to say, reports The Indian Express. In the first report submitted by the Protection of Civil Rights (PCR) cell to the Maharashtra State Police, a trend of complainants turning hostile over the past three years can be observed.
“Of the total 889 acquittals statewide between 2014 and 2016, at least one of every four acquittals reflects a hostile complainant,” the report states. Also, in serious offences like rape, murder and dacoity registered under the POA (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and whose statement weighed in favour of the victim, 243 witnesses turned hostile.
Of the total cases where complainants have turned hostile, maximum cases were found in Aurangabad range and Nanded range.
Avatthi Ramaiah, professor at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) studying atrocities against Dalits, gives the explanation to this phenomenon.
“Back home, the Marathas will say these figures are fake. Whether they take it or not, these are registered complaints which have gone to the judicial courts. In my study, I have seen in most cases the accused are from the powerful political class and power is usually manifested through crimes like rape or murder. We have come across several cases where the complainant is first intimidated, then financially induced. This will continue until the government doesn’t look to bring sufficient caste-backed representation in its own police force,” Ramaiah told The Indian Express.
Source: The Indian Express
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