CM Directs Time-Bound Review of Pending Investigations and Cases Before Special Courts
Dehradun, September 2026 : Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday directed officials to ensure that every person affected by atrocities receives timely justice, security, dignity and all entitled assistance. He also called for greater sensitivity, accountability and effectiveness in the implementation of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
The Chief Minister was chairing a meeting of the State-Level Vigilance and Monitoring Committee constituted for the effective implementation of the Act at the Secretariat. He said the committee’s meetings should not remain confined to formal reviews and must lead to concrete action to ensure that victims receive justice and support without delay.
Dhami reviewed cases registered under the Act since 2024 in which investigations are still pending and directed officials to examine the reasons for the delays and ensure their time-bound disposal on priority. In old and serious cases, the police, administration and prosecution departments should coordinate closely and take effective action, he said.
The Chief Minister also directed officials to regularly review cases pending before special courts. He stressed the need for better coordination between the police and prosecution departments for the early disposal of old cases. Where necessary, special public prosecutors should be made available to ensure effective representation before the courts.
Dhami said there should be no delay in the payment of admissible relief to victims. Cases in which relief payments have been delayed should be reviewed separately, he directed.
He emphasised that assistance to affected families should not be restricted to financial support. Depending on their needs, families should also be linked with medical care, education, security, rehabilitation and other eligible government schemes.
In serious and sensitive cases, the security of victims and their families should be accorded the highest priority. The Chief Minister also directed officials to ensure that the education of children from affected families does not suffer because of an incident. Eligible children should be connected with scholarships and other educational assistance schemes.
The meeting also discussed arrangements for counselling, medical assistance, security, and social and economic rehabilitation of affected families. Dhami directed that senior-level accountability be fixed for regular monitoring of cases under the Act in every district.
The Chief Minister instructed police officers and personnel to undergo regular training on the provisions of the Act, investigation of sensitive cases and appropriate treatment of victims. The Social Welfare, Police and Prosecution departments should jointly organise refresher training programmes from time to time, he said.
He also directed officials to work towards developing a digital monitoring system for effective monitoring at the government level of investigations, court proceedings, relief payments and other assistance provided to victims. Districts where progress in disposal of cases, investigations or distribution of relief is below expectations should be reviewed separately, he said. Effective practices adopted by districts performing well should also be shared with other districts.
Dhami directed officials to conduct extensive awareness campaigns in rural and remote areas about the provisions of the Act, legal rights and assistance available to victims. He called for better coordination among the Police, Social Welfare, Education, Health, Revenue and other concerned departments.
If any district or department requires additional human resources, training or budgetary support, the proposal should be submitted to the government at the earliest, he said.
The Chief Minister stressed that decisions taken during the meeting should not remain confined to the minutes. Responsibility and timelines should be fixed for every decision and their implementation reviewed regularly.
He said the government and administration must ensure that victims do not have to run from one office to another to obtain justice or assistance. All concerned departments must demonstrate sensitivity and ensure that the government and administration stand firmly with affected persons, he added.
The meeting was informed that 189 cases were registered under the Act in 2024 and 157 cases in 2025. In 2026, 116 cases had been registered up to September 15, of which 25 were under investigation.
Officials also informed the meeting that financial assistance amounting to Rs 228.71 lakh was provided to 205 victims during 2024-25. In 2025-26, 127 victims received assistance of Rs 143.16 lakh, while 104 victims were provided Rs 99.528 lakh during the financial year 2026-27 up to September 18.
Regular meetings have also been held at the state level under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary and at the district level under the chairmanship of District Magistrates to review implementation of the Act.
Social Welfare Minister Khajan Das, MLA Mamta Rakesh, Home Secretary Shailesh Bagoli, Social Welfare Secretary Sridhar Babu Addanki, Secretary and Commissioner of the Revenue Board Ranjana Rajguru, Additional Director General of Police A.P. Ashuman, IG Barinderjeet Singh, Social Welfare Director Sanjay Kumar, Tribal Welfare Director Sanjay Tolia and other concerned officials attended the meeting.
