CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: The Allahabad High Court has taken a strict view of the possible misuse of financial relief provided to victims under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in Uttar Pradesh. The court has ordered the development of an effective mechanism to investigate and monitor cases in which relief is claimed repeatedly across the state.
The matter came up during the hearing of two criminal appeals linked to Jhansi. A single bench of Justice Santosh Rai said special courts constituted under the SC/ST Act are not merely formal institutions. They have the authority to examine whether eligible victims received the full relief amount on time and in accordance with the rules.
During the hearing in the Jhansi matter, the state government informed the court that Santosh Kumar Dohare and members of his family had so far received a total relief amount of Rs 23,36,250 in different criminal cases. In addition, 10 to 12 other cases were stated to be pending before the district-level committee.
The High Court said such a large number of cases and the pattern of receiving relief created the need for an impartial inquiry. However, the court also clarified that repeated filing of cases does not by itself prove wrongdoing. The purpose of the inquiry is not to affect the legitimate claims of genuine victims, but to identify possible misuse of the scheme.
The High Court directed the District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police of Jhansi to complete an impartial inquiry within three months into the cases filed by the family concerned and the relief amount received. If misuse of the scheme or fraud is established in the inquiry, legal and criminal action may be taken against the guilty persons as well as responsible officials.
The court asked the state government to develop an effective regulatory and monitoring system for a statewide examination of cases involving repeated claims for relief under the SC/ST Act and the 1995 Rules. Special judges in all districts were also advised to remain alert in such matters.
At the same time, the court made it clear that this monitoring mechanism does not mean that the claims of genuine victims should be viewed with suspicion. The special court in Jhansi was asked to rehear both matters afresh within six weeks and decide which relief rate, Rs 1 lakh or Rs 2 lakh, applies to the victims concerned.
The High Court said the SC/ST relief scheme is a welfare arrangement created for the rehabilitation and assistance of victims of atrocities. Any attempt to misuse it and cause loss to public funds cannot be tolerated.
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