Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday directed officials to improve the conviction rate in cases registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Chairing a meeting of the State-Level Vigilance and Monitoring Committee on the implementation of the Act, he also called for a stronger prosecution mechanism to ensure justice for victims.
The performance of public prosecutors should be assessed based on their efforts to secure convictions in cases under the special law, an official release issued after the meeting quoted Fadnavis as saying.
According to the release, Fadnavis also asked officials to propose amendments in line with provisions of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to compromise or settlement, saying safeguards should ensure that accused persons do not escape punishment in serious offences under special laws.
The CM minister issued directives for setting up fast-track courts in districts reporting a high number of atrocities cases to expedite trials and deliver timely justice to victims.
“The Home Department should undertake a study to identify reasons behind low conviction rates and develop standard operating procedures covering investigation, evidence collection, witness protection and prosecution. Training programmes for sub-divisional police officers, who investigate offences under the Act, should also be strengthened,” he said.
Fadnavis further directed that witness protection measures be implemented in serious offences, including murder, rape and dacoity, and suggested video recording of court proceedings in accordance with legal provisions to reduce instances of witnesses turning hostile.
He also asked police to examine why districts such as Solapur, Ahilyanagar, Parbhani, Nanded and Yavatmal report a higher number of atrocities cases and submit a detailed report, while ensuring that only genuine cases are registered after due investigation.
Officials informed the meeting that financial assistance of Rs 53.57 crore was provided to 4,524 victims under the Act in 2025-26, while Rs 27.40 crore has so far been disbursed to 2,081 victims in 2026-27.
They also said the dedicated helpline 14566 received 282 complaints, all of which were disposed of before June 1 this year.
