Need more courts to deal with SC/ST atrocity cases: Siddaramaiah

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday directed ministers H. Anjaneya and T.B. jayachandra to meet the chief justice of the  Karnataka High Court and request him to set up more special courts for  speedy trial of cases of atrocities against scheduled castes and tribes.

 Presiding over the state level vigilance and monitoring committee set up to enforce the SCs/STs Atrocities Prevention Act, he underscored the need for opening of more special courts to dispose of cases of atrocities against the oppressed and advised the police and social welfare officials  to ensure that those responsible did not escape punishment.

"Unfortunately, the accused are being let off for want of evidence," he regretted, adding that every case must be taken seriously and enough evidence collected to ensure that no one escaped the law.  He also wanted the law department to hasten the process of filing appeals in dismissed cases and said action must be taken against officers, who didn't file them.

Coming down hard on officials issuing fake caste certificates, he said they too must be punished. Those who deliberately gave wrong information to get certificates could not be spared either, he insisted.

"Deputy commissioners must compulsorily conduct vigilance and monitoring committee meetings once in three months. I will instruct all district-in charge ministers to ensure this," he added.

While noting that there were fewer cases of people from the scheduled castes and tribes being denied entry into temples and hair saloons today, he said any such report  in the media must be taken seriously by the Deputy Commissioners.