Centre details special courts and ₹1,423 crore in aid for enforcing PCR and SC/ST Atrocities Acts
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment detailed the measures the Centre has taken to strengthen enforcement of the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, both of which are implemented primarily by the States and Union Territories. As of now, 217 Exclusive Special Courts have been established across 15 States and Union Territories for the speedy trial of offences under the 1989 Act, with Sessions Courts also designated as Special Courts in low-caseload districts with the concurrence of the relevant High Court's Chief Justice. Under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for implementing both Acts, the Centre released Rs 392.71 crore in 2022-23, Rs 535.30 crore in 2023-24 and Rs 495.29 crore in 2024-25 — a total of Rs 1,423.30 crore — to support Protection Cells, Special Police Stations, judicial machinery, victim relief and awareness activities, under which 88,172, 79,667 and 99,216 victims respectively received relief.
The Ministry's SAMBAL helpline (formerly the National Helpline Against Atrocities) lets SC/ST members register and track atrocity-related grievances. According to the latest Crime in India figures cited, 65,646 cases were registered under the Act in 2024, with 3,92,006 cases pending trial at year-end — underlining the continuing gap between registration and disposal of cases under the Act.
Quick checkUnder the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, in what circumstance can a Court of Session, rather than an Exclusive Special Court, try offences under the Act?- Whenever the accused requests it
- In districts with a relatively lower caseload, with the concurrence of the Chief Justice of the High Court
- Only in Union Territories
- Never — only Exclusive Special Courts may try such offences
Show the answer ↓
Answer: B. The release states that Sessions Courts may be designated as Special Courts in districts with comparatively fewer cases, with the concurrence of the Chief Justice of the concerned High Court.
Issued by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (Press Information Bureau). If this summary and the source differ, the source is right — tell us and we will correct it.