Behera Monday said that police officers and lawyers were taking 'commission' in cases involving the SC & ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Meanwhile, the Minister’s shocking revelation has sparked controversy. Opposition BJP hit out at the BJD-led government and dubbed the govt as anti-SC, ST and women. “Dalit, Tribal, minors and women are deprived of getting justice in the last 23 years of BJD regime,” said BJP leader Bibhu Prasad Tarai.
Congress also slammed the government over the same. “MoS (Home) admitting police ok taking commission has exposed the law and order situation of the State. He has admitted the truth and failed to day that his ministers also take commission,” said Congress’ Nishikant Mishra.
Now, the question arises, who takes commission; does the Home Department has their data?
It may be noted that as many as 2,326 rape, SC& St atrocity cases were registered in 2017 and only 751 victims were given compensation. Similarly, 721 and 545 victims were provided with compensations in 2018 and 2019 respectively.
Notably, the Minister said that the SC/ST atrocity cases are being falsely implicated and used as a political tools. The advocates with the help of the police misguide the people from SC/ST community and take advantage of them due to their lack of awareness.
“If the SC/ST victims get Rs 2 lakh compensation by the government, they, in most cases, get Rs 50,000 only and the rest amount is being shared with the lawyers and police personnel,” the Minister claimed.
