Supreme Court declines to stay SC/ST Act changes, says will consider 10 days later

The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday declined to put a stay on its March 20 judgment which prevented automatic arrests on complaints filed under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (prevention of atrocities) Act, 1989.

Refusing to stay the judgment, the court asked the parties to file written submissions within two days. The court also informed that it will be re-considering the matter after 10 days.

“Those agitating on streets may not have even read our judgment. Vested interests are also involved some time. We are only concerned about innocent people being put behind bars. We are not against the act at all. But innocents can’t be punished on unilateral version. Why does government want people to be arrested without verification,” the court asked while considering the matter.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had refused an urgent hearing on a plea which sought a stay and review of its recent verdict on SC/ST Act.

Protesting the Supreme Court verdict, thousands of Dalits took into the streets on Monday in several states as part of a ‘Bharat band’ called by Dalit organizations. 11 people lost their lives in the clashes connected with the band across the country.