The provisions of SC ST Prevention of Atrocities Act,1989 are being misused sporadically by SC/ST persons to settle scores with Non SC/ST people. False Complaints are lodged with police to threaten & harass Non SC/ST people, particularly where financial or property interests are involved. Therefore my questions are:-
1) In such cases what are the remedies available to the so called accused ?
2) In many such false complaints, the complaint is lodged after a week of alleged date of incident.Is there any time limit to file complaints with the police?
3) When false complaints are filed with malicious intentions, whether police is required to make preliminary enquiry to make out a prima facie case or blindly register the case without veryfying the truth?
4) Is it not horryfyng voilation of Human Rights if so called accused in false complaints is arrested by police without verifying the truth? What are the safeguards to prevent such misuses in the Acts / Rules to prtect innocent people from such false complaints?
5) Can the so called accused claim damages from the complainant for filng a false complaint under prevention of Atrocities Act & harming his reputation in the society? If so, how much ? Is there any monetary limit?
Pl clarify preferably by quoting Sections / Rules.
Since this is a serious matter having explosive ramifications on the Unity & Integrity of the Country and also on Judiciary , I feel MEDIA should takeup National Debate immediately.