On Monday, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of the SC/ ST Amendment Act, 2018, and said that a court can only issue anticipatory bail in cases where no prima facie case is made.
A bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra said a preliminary inquiry is not required before lodging an FIR under the act, and it is not necessary for approval of senior police officers in cases of atrocities on SC and ST.
In a parallel decision, Justice Ravindra Bhat, the other member of the bench, said that every person needs to treat fellow citizens fairly and uphold the idea of fraternity.
In its judgement of September 30 the three-judge bench of the Supreme Court had recalled its order of March 20, 2018 which had diluted the strict provisions of the SC / ST Act while restored automatic arrest in such cases.
