(a) whether certain cases of misuse of law related to punishment for use of abusive language against Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) community is being used for self-interest or with malafide intention;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government will consider to make this law more practical and justifiable so that such misuse of law for social justice may not take place;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI D. NAPOLEON)
(a) & (b) National Crime Records Bureau, (NCRB), Ministry of Home Affairs, which maintains data in regard to offences of atrocities against Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 has informed that it does not maintain information on misuse of the Act, for self interest or with malafide intention. However, under the caption, cases declared false on account of mistake of fact or law,` 6564 cases pertaining to atrocities against Scheduled Castes, during 2008, have been mentioned by the NCRB.
(c) to (e) The objective of the aforesaid Act is to prevent the commission of offences against members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. However, for dealing with specific false cases, relevant Sections of the IPC can be invoked by the concerned agencies.