SC again defers hearing on Atrocities Act to March 26

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court once again on Tuesday deferred to March 26 the hearing on a challenge to the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2018 that prevents an anticipatory bail to a person accused of committing the crime. A Bench of Justices UU Lalit and Indu Malhotra gave three days to the Centre and other parties for arguments as the court had earlier decided to hear together the petitions against the amendment and the review petitions against the court''s March 20 judgment ruling no automatic arrest without due investigations. In a Maharashtra case, the court inserted anticipatory bail provision and some other measures to prevent misuse of the law to harass the innocent persons.