SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir had no Exclusive Special Court established under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, during the financial years 2018-19 to 2024-25, according to data presented by the Union Government in the Lok Sabha on Friday.
The data, provided by the Ministry of Law and Justice, showed that while 217 Exclusive Special Courts were operational across various States and Union Territories in 2024-25, none was listed for Jammu and Kashmir or Ladakh.
Under Section 14 of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, States are required to establish Exclusive Special Courts for speedy trials, with the concurrence of the Chief Justice of the concerned High Court. In districts where the number of cases is lower, a Court of Session may be designated as a Special Court to try offences under the Act.
The Ministry said the responsibility for establishing such Exclusive Special Courts rests with the respective State and UT Governments, with the concurrence of the Chief Justice of the concerned High Court.
The NCRB data cited in the parliamentary reply showed that Jammu and Kashmir recorded 10 cases chargesheeted under the provisions relating to crimes or atrocities against Scheduled Castes in 2023, with no trial completed during the year. The number of cases pending at the end of 2023 stood at 22.
In 2022, JK had six cases chargesheeted, no trials completed and 12 cases pending at the end of the year. The conviction rate was not recorded for either year as no trials were completed.
For offences against Scheduled Tribes, JK recorded no cases chargesheeted or trials completed in 2023, with one case pending at the end of the year. In 2022, one case was chargesheeted, no trial was completed and one case remained pending at year-end.
The figures for Ladakh showed no cases chargesheeted, trials completed or pending under the Scheduled Tribes-related provisions in either 2022 or 2023. The data also showed no cases under the Scheduled Castes category for Ladakh during these years.
Nationally, the number of Exclusive Special Courts increased from 170 in 2018-19 to 217 in 2024-25. Uttar Pradesh had the highest number in 2024-25 with 74, followed by Rajasthan with 31 and Tamil Nadu with 21. Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat had 11 and 16 respectively.
The Government said the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for implementing the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955, and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, provides central assistance to States and UTs for five components, including the setting up and functioning of Exclusive Special Courts.
However, the scheme does not provide central assistance for the procurement of land, construction of buildings or judicial infrastructure relating to these courts, the Ministry said.
It added that recruitment of judges, prosecutors and court staff, as well as filling vacancies in District and Subordinate Courts, falls within the responsibility of State Governments and the concerned High Courts.
