The Scheduled Castes and The 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.

YEAR SC ST TOTAL
2022 57,582 10,064 67,646
2021 50,900 8,802 59,702
2020 50,291 8,272 58,563
2019 45,961 8,257 54,218
2018 42,793 6,528 49,321
2017 43,203 7,125 50,328
2016 40,801 6,568 47,369
2015 38,670 6,276 44,946
2014 40,401 6,827 47,228
2013 39,408 6,793 46,201
2012 33,655 5,922 39,577
2011 33,719 5,756 39,475
2010 32,712 5,885 38,597
2009 33,594 5,425 39,019
2008 33,615 5,582 39,197
2007 30,031 5,532 35,563
2006 27,070 5,791 32,861
2005 26,127 5,713 31,840
2004 26,887 5,535 32,422
2003 26,252 5,889 32,141
2002 33,507 6,774 40,281
2001 33,501 6,217 39,718
2000 25,455 4,190 29,645
1999 25,093 4,450 29,543
1998 25,638 4,276 29,914
1997 27,944 4,644 32,588
1996 31,440 4,973 36,413
1995 32,996 5,498 38,494
1994 33,908 5,019 38,927
1993 24,973 3,652 28,625
1992 24,922 4,306 29,228
Total 1,073,049 186,541 1,259,590

Source: Crime in India, National Crime Records Bureau.

“I do not believe that we can build up a free society in India so long as there is a trace of this ill-treatment and suppression of one class by another.”

Dr B R Ambedkar

Atrocities against women and girls from the scheduled communities

Atrocities against women and girls from the scheduled communities have been increasing steadily – including in the pandemic year 2020 when all crime decreased. In 2021 and 2022 over 5000 rapes have been recorded against women and girls from the scheduled communities.

Rape as a caste crime is rooted in both patriarchy and caste that enables supremacism and entitlement. The number of recorded rape has consistently been 90% or more than the number of recorded attempt to commit rape in all states. In some states rape is the most recorded intercommunity crime against women (14 states for STs and 10 states for STs). The near absence of recorded attempt to commit rape and insult to modesty is a strong indicator of suppression and trivialisation of crimes against the scheduled community women.

The National Crime Records Bureau records rape, attempt to commit rape [Section 376 IPC], assault on SC/ST women with intent to outrage her modesty [Section 354 IPC], sexual harassment [Subsection 354A IPC], assault or use of criminal force to women with intent to disrobe [Section 354B IPC], voyeurism [section 354C IPC] and stalking [Section 354D IPC]; and insult to modesty.

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Union Annual Reports U/s 21 (4)