There has been a rapid rise in the number of cases registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities Act) in Rajasthan in the past five years. From 6,329 cases in 2016, it has gone up to 8,744 in 2020, stated a Lok Sabha reply.
However, the conviction rates in such cases have declined. Against 1,121 convicted cases in 2019, it had dropped to 686 in 2020, which is 7.84% of the total cases registered (8,744) in the same year and the lowest in five years.
Minister of state (Mos) for social and Empowerment Ramdas Athawle gave a reply to an unstarred question on atrocities against SCs and STs in Lok Sabha on December 14. In Rajasthan, 6,329 cases were registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities Act) in 2016; 5222 cases were registered in 2017; and 5563 cases were registered in 2018. In 2019, 8418 cases were registered; and in 2020, 8,744 cases were registered.
Meanwhile, in 2016, there were convictions in 680 cases in crime against SCs and STs , which is 10.74% of the total cases registered in the same year. There were 1,845 convictions in 2017 (35.33% of total cases registered); 712 in 2018 (12.79% of the total cases registered); and 1,121 in 2019 (13.31% of the total cases registered). In 2020, there were convictions in 686 cases, which is 7.84% of the total cases registered in the same year.