Bharat Bandh against SC/ST Amendment Act, Sec 144 imposed in MP: Updates

High alert has been issued in 35 districts across Madhya Pradesh in view of the ongoing
 Bharat Bandh against the Parliament passing an amendment to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act that overruled Supreme Court's earlier order of diluting it. Apart from that, 34 companies of security forces and 5,000 security personnel have been deployed. Section 144 has also imposed in several districts across Madhya Pradesh, according to ANI reports.

Police told ANI, ”Forces have been divided judiciously across the districts. It has been peaceful till now. Nobody can force anyone to be a part of the bandh.”

Earlier, the members, belonging to upper caste groups, had forced the government to impose Section 144 in Satna, Bhind, Shivpuri, Gwalior, and other districts.

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The March 20 judgment

In a bid to check the misuse of the SC/ST Act, the Supreme Court had on March 20 ruled that preliminary enquiry in a case under the Atrocities Act would be done by a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) to ensure the allegations are not frivolous, and to avoid the false implication of an innocent person.

The court also held that a government official could not be prosecuted on the mere allegation of committing an offence under the Act without the sanction of the appointing authority.