Jaipur: Rajasthan recorded convictions in only 474 of the 7,008 cases registered under crimes against Scheduled Castes (SCs) in 2024, resulting in a conviction rate of just 6.7%, according to a reply tabled in the Lok Sabha. The reply also showed that 571 cases ended in acquittal, while 24,469 cases remained pending trial at the end of the year.The figures, provided by minister of state for social justice and empowerment Ramdas Athawale on July 28 in response to an unstarred question by MP A Raja, indicate a sharp decline in the state’s conviction rate after a brief improvement. Rajasthan’s conviction rate was 7.2% in 2022, rose to 18.4% in 2023, and fell to 6.7% in 2024.The ministry said the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) compiles and publishes data on crimes against SCs in its annual Crime in India report, with data currently available up to 2024.The Centre informed Parliament that a committee headed by the Union minister for social justice and empowerment, constituted in 2006, periodically reviews the implementation of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, across states and Union Territories.It added that the Centre regularly issues advisories to states and UTs for effective implementation of the Act, with emphasis on establishing Exclusive Special Courts for speedy trials, improving investigation quality through sensitisation of investigating officers, conducting awareness programmes, and addressing the issue of low conviction rates.The reply also referred to Section 14 of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, as amended in 2015 and implemented from January 26, 2016, which mandates the establishment of Exclusive Special Courts, with the concurrence of the respective High Court Chief Justice, for expeditious disposal of atrocity cases. Rajasthan currently has 31 Exclusive Special Courts.
