Atrocities cases: 2 courts to be set up

MUMBAI: Against the backdrop of the slew of sops being offered to the Maratha community and outfits’ demand for the review of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the state government has attempted a balancing act by announcing to expedite the atrocities cases by setting up special courts in Nashik and Pune.

The courts will be functional in next one month and help the government to meet its promise of six such courts, one each in six revenue divisions.

The announcement came after a meeting of the state-level high power vigilance and steering committee for the SC/ST communities in the state. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who chaired the meeting, directed the social justice department to start the special courts for atrocities cases in two districts. Fadnavis also called for synchronised efforts by the home and social welfare departments for better conviction rates in atrocities cases.

Dilip Kamble, minister of state for social justice, said, “The state had announced to set up six special courts to fast-track the atrocities cases. We had started the courts in Amravati, Nagpur, Thane and Aurangabad over the past few years, but the ones in Nashik and Pune were lagging for need of land. The issue has now been sorted out and the courts will begin functioning within next one month.”

Fadnavis directed the process of paying compensation to complainants in 233 cases be expedited.