Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
An Act to prevent the commission of offences of atrocities against the members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, to provide for Special Courts and the Exclusive Special Courts for the trial of such offences and for the relief and rehabilitation of the victims of such offences and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Chapter I: Preliminary
Chapter II: Offences of Atrocities
- 3 Punishments for offences atrocities 95 judgments
- 4 Punishment for neglect of duties 4 judgments
- 5 Enhanced punishment subsequent conviction
- 6 Application of certain provisions of the Indian Penal Code
- 7 Forfeiture of property of certain persons 1 judgment
- 8 Presumption as to offences
- 9 Conferment of powers 2 judgments
Chapter III: Externment
- 10 Removal of person likely to commit offence
- 11 Procedure on failure of person to remove himself from area and enter thereon after removal 1 judgment
- 12 Taking measurements and photographs, etc., of persons against whom order under section 10 is made
- 13 Penalty for noncompliance of order under section 10
Chapter IV: Special Courts
- 14 Special Court and Exclusive Special Court 3 judgments
- 14A Appeals 2 judgments
- 15 Special Public Prosecutor and Exclusive Public Prosecutor 1 judgment
Chapter IVA: Rights of Victims and Witnesses
- 15A Rights of victims and witnesses 2 judgments
Chapter V: Miscellaneous
- 16 Power of State Government to impose collective fine
- 17 Preventive action to be taken by the law and order machinery
- 18 Section 438 of the Code not to apply to persons committing an offence under the Act 10 judgments
- 18A No enquiry or approval required 4 judgments
- 19 Section 360 of the Code or the provisions of the Probation of Offenders Act not to apply to persons guilty of an offence under the Act
- 20 Act to override other laws
- 21 Duty of Government to ensure effective implementation of the Act 1 judgment
- 22 Protection of action taken in good faith
- 23 Power to make rules
Source: India Code (indiacode.gov.in), the consolidated text published by the Legislative Department, Government of India. Text as updated on India Code on 14 October 2026. Words in square brackets [ ] were inserted or substituted by later amending Acts, and *** marks words omitted by an amendment. The amendment footnotes are not reproduced here. Official text on India Code.