The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989

This edition of The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (Act 33 of 1989), updated with all amendments and allied rules, serves as a comprehensive and reliable legal reference for students preparing for the All India Bar Examination (AIBE), as well as advocates, human rights activists, enforcement agencies, and academicians working in the field of social justice and anti-discrimination law.

The book presents the bare text of the law—precisely as enacted—without commentary or interpretation, making it ideal for examination purposes, legal referencing, and compliance work. It contains the complete legislative framework for the prevention and punishment of offences of atrocities committed against members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, with a focus on safeguarding their dignity, rights, and equality.

The content spans the full scope of the Act, including:

• Definitions of atrocities and the scope of protection under the Act

• Establishment, powers, and functions of Special Courts and Exclusive Special Courts

• Role and duties of public servants in prevention and investigation

• Rights of victims and witnesses, including relief and rehabilitation measures

• Preventive measures to curb caste-based discrimination and violence

• Penalties for neglect of duties by public servants

• The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Rules, 1995

• Related rules on specification of functions for the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes

• Provisions from the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 and related rules

This edition is particularly suitable for:

• AIBE aspirants and law students studying constitutional and criminal law

• Practising lawyers handling human rights, criminal defence, and social justice cases

• Law enforcement officers and public prosecutors working on atrocity prevention cases

• NGOs and activists advocating for Dalit and tribal rights

• Policy makers and administrators involved in implementing SC/ST protections

With all recent amendments and allied provisions in place, this updated 2025 edition offers a complete statutory framework for addressing atrocities against SC/ST communities.