Supreme Court Uses "Extraordinary Power" To Acquit Man in SC/ST Act Case

Context

Using "extraordinary powers" granted to the Supreme Court, it set aside proceedings against a man convicted under the scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. 

What is SC/ST Act?

• The Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, or the SC/ST Act protects the marginalised communities against discrimination and atrocities.
• Popularly known as POA, the SC/ST Act, was enacted on September 9, 1989.
• The Act lists 22 offences relating to various patterns or behaviours inflicting criminal offences and breaking the self-respect and esteem of the scheduled castes and tribes community.
  • This includes denial of economic, democratic and social rights, discrimination, exploitation and abuse of the legal process.
• Objective: To deliver justice to marginalised through proactive efforts, giving them a life of dignity, self-esteem and a life without fear, violence or suppression from the dominant castes.

The case

• The case, dating back to 1994, pertained to a clash between two neighbours – Ramawatar and Prembai – over a land dispute in Panna district of Madhya Pradesh.
• In the heat of the moment, Ramawatar had thrown a brick at Prembai and used casteist slurs and derogatory remarks at her.

SC’s Extraordinary Power

• Supreme Court uses extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution of India.
• Article 142 of the Constitution empowers the Supreme Court with extraordinary or absolute powers to pass any decree to ensure the delivery of “complete justice”.
• The provision is usually used in cases involving human rights and environmental protection.