Low Conviction Rate Under SC/ST Act in India Needs Revamping

• In August 2026, a special court in Rajasthan acquitted all 40 suspects in the 2015 Dangawas massacre, where five Dalits and one other person were murdered, citing a failure to prove the case beyond doubt.
• Official government statistics reveal consistently low conviction rates under the SC/ST Act (Prevention of Atrocities) and a growing backlog of pending cases across India.

Case Context and Controversy

• The acquittal after 11 years has triggered public outrage and protests in Jaipur, raising questions regarding the efficiency of investigations and the prosecution's failure.
• Political figures like Ashok Gehlot have criticized the verdict as a systemic failure, calling for vigorous appeals and fixed accountability for the injustice.
• While the incident originated from a local land dispute, it has become a flashpoint for caste-based political tensions.

Data on Judicial Outcomes (2020–2024)

• According to data presented to the Rajya Sabha, conviction rates for crimes against SC/ST members remain low, ranging from 6.45% in 2020 to 12.87% in 2024.
• Pending trials have increased significantly, rising from 177,379 in 2020 to 287,694 in 2024.

Systemic Barriers to Justice

• Bureaucratic Obstacles: Local police often refuse to register FIRs due to caste bias or pressure from dominant groups.
• Procedural Lapses: Inadequate evidence collection and poorly recorded statements weaken cases early on.
• Social Vulnerability: Victims and witnesses face severe threats, economic boycotts, and intimidation, leading to hostile testimony.
• Resource Constraints: Victims often lack the finances to secure private legal counsel against powerful perpetrators.
• Institutional Backlogs: A shortage of special courts and dedicated public prosecutors causes trials to drag on for years, exhausting victims.

Required Reforms

• The government must address these systemic barricades and review the implementation of the SC/ST Act to ensure victims are not left without recourse.
• Beyond legal reform, there is a fundamental need for shifts in societal mindsets to address persistent anti-Dalit biases.