A three-judge bench consisting of Justices Arun Mishra, MR Shah, and BR Gavai in Supreme Court on September 18 expressed serious concern over people dying during manual scavenging and sew cleaning in India, and stated that where in world people are sent to "gas chambers to die". apex court me se hard-hitting observations at time of hearing Centre's plea seeking review of its last year's verdict which h virtually diluted provisions of arrest under SC/ST Act.

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SC on Caste Discrimination

While making scathing observations, apex court said that though more than 70 years have passed since Independence, caste discrimination still persists in country. A bench heed by Justice Arun Mishra questioned Attorney General KK Venugopal, appearing for Centre, as to why proper protective gear like mask and oxygen cylinders were t being provided to people who are engd in manual scavenging and cleaning of sew or manholes.

"Why are you t providing m masks and oxygen cylinders? In country in world, people are sent to gas chambers to die. Four to five people are dying due to this every month."

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Dilution of provision under SC/ST Act

Supreme Court has reserved its orders to  Centre's petition seeking review of its March 20, 2018, judgment which h virtually diluted provisions of arrest under SC/ST Act. Last year, Supreme Court h introduced safeguards to prevent misuse of SC/ST Act. It h held that prior sanction of appointing authority is required for prosecuting officers for acts done by m with respect to SC/ST Act in ir official capacity.

Giving a purposive interpretation to Section 18 of SC/ST Act, court h stated, "re is absolute bar against grant of anticipatory bail in cases under Atrocities Act if prima facie case is me out or where on judicial scrutiny complaint is found to be prima facie mala fide."

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This h led to Centre filing a review petition against judgment and h subsequently brought about an amendment seeking to invalidate judgment in 2018. amendment itself was subsequently challenged in Supreme Court. bench will hear challenge next week against 2018 amendment brought to SC/ST Act.

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(With inputs from PTI)