The SCHEDULED CASTES(PREVED CASTES AND THE SCHEDULED TRIBESNTION OF ATROCITIES) AMENDMENT Act 2015

F.No.16/5/2016-CP&R Government of India Ministry of Tribal Affairs ****** Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi Dated: 18.2.2016 1. The ChiefSecretaries of all State Governments (except Jammu & Kashmir) 2. The Administrator ofall Union Territories. Subject: -The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2015 (1 of 2016) - regarding. Sir/Madam, As you are aware that the Article 17 of the Constitution of India abolished 'untouchability', forbade its practice in any form and made enforcement of any disability arising out of untouchability as on offence punishable in accordance with the law. An Act of Parliament namely the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) {PoA} Act, 1989, to give effect to the provisions of Article 17 of the Constitution was enacted for preventing atrocities against embers of Scheduled Tribes, to provide for Special Courts for the tri",l of such offences as well as relief and rehabilitation of the victims of atrocities. The PoA Act extends to the whole of India except Jammu and Kashmir, and responsibility for its implementation rests with State Governments. 2. The complaints / allegation of atrocities despite, provisions of the enabling Act against the members of Scheduled Tribes (STs) is matter of concern. The Act has accordingly been strengthened to make the relevant provisions of the Act more effective. Based on the consultation process with all the stakeholders, amendments in the PoA Act were proposed to broadly cover five areas namely (i) Amendments to Chapter II (Offences ofAtrocities) to include new definitions, new offences, to re-phrase existing sections and expand the scope of presumptions, (ii) Institutional Strengthening, (iii) Appeals (a new section), (iv) Establishing Rights of Victims and Witnesses (a new chapter) and (v) strengthening preventive measures. The objective of these amendments in the PoA Act is to deliver members of STs, a greater justice as well as be an enhanced deterrent to the offenders. The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention ofAtrocities) Amendment Act, 2015 (No.1 of 2016) has been notified in the Gazette of India Extraordinary on 01.01.2016. In view of its sub-section (2) of section (1), the Central Government has appointed 26.01.2016 as the date of enforcement of the Amendment Act, notified in the Gazelle of India, Extraordinary, on 18.01.2016. The copies of the gazelle notifications issued in this regard are appended. 3. You are requested to apprise your concerned offices/agencies for information and action accordingly. ~ (Mano· mar Pingua) Joint Secretary to the overnment of India Copy to:- (i) Tribal Welfare Departments ofall the States and Union Territories for necessary action. (ii) Secretary, National Commission for Schedule Tribes. New Delhi. (iii) Managing Director, TRIFED, New Delhi. (iv) CMD, NSTFDC, New Delhi. ~ NIC for uploading in website of MoTA. ~ 'lCio ito l§!o-33004/99 REGD. NO. D. L.-33004/99 3ffifUTnlT EXTRAORDINARY 'lWT I1-~ 3-"a1t-~ (II) PART II-Section3-Sub-section (II) ~ -?r 9ifllf'\iI" PUBLISHED BYAUTHORITY 'l'i. 1361 ~~, ~, ~ 18, 2016~28,1937' No. 136] NEW DELHI, MONDAY,JANUARY 18, 20161PAUSA 28,1937 fll'11 Ri4> rllT'T3ih: orru4>I~"I <i%'14 (BIBIf1I'fi"'IT'<3ih:~f'Nm) ~ '1i: fu<ft, 18~, 2016 4>1.311'. 152(31).-~ ~, :>ij'Jfild ~ 3ih: :>ij~~" "H51If8 (31,41"11( f.1ilI(OI) l'f~rrU'f ~,2015 (2016 4>1l'f. 1) iiT &Tn 1iiT 'N-&Tn (2);:Tn ~ ~rfU>'lT4>1 >I'im m~, 26 ~ 2016 'l?rit&t ~ if; ""l' if f.t;:ro ~ ~ ~ ;;rn; ~ if;~u "'f'if\iiiT1 [B'. 11012/1I2002-tfffit3lR (rn)] ~31jWT,~~ MINISTRY OF SOCIALJUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (DeparlmentofSocial Justice and Empowerment) NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 18th January, 2016 S.O. 152(E).-ln exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) ofsection 1of the Scheduled Castes and the SCheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2015 (I of 2016), the Central Government hereby appoints the 26'" day ofJanuary, 2016 as the date on which the provisions ofthe said Act shall come into force. [No. 11012/l12002-PCR (Desk)] AINDRI ANURAG, Jt. Secy. 257 Gl/2016 ------------------------- Printedby the Manager, Governmentoffndia Pre~s, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi·ll0064 andPublishedbytheControllerofPublications, Delhj~1I0054. ~ -,to citol«ilo_(1l;l) 4/000712003-16 REGISTERED NO. DL-(N)U4/0007/2003-16 C3fi1 a~ette of ~i.a :mn'ffiUl E:\.'TRAORDINARY 'WT II- 1;l1JS 1 PARTII- Section1 JI1f'l'fR"B~ PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY * 1] fr{~, ~, ~ I, 2016/-q'rq 11, 1937 ('IT'f» No.1] NEWDErHI,FRIDAY,JANUARY1,2016/PAUSHA11,1937(SAKA) ~ ~~ ~ ~ 'lJTTTifJiAgivr ,;romit%fum\f<!;"l\!0ffiTT "if; if "l;1ID"ITu"if;I Separatepaging is to this Part in orderthatitma)'be tiled asaseparate compilalion. lINISTRYOFLAWAND JUSTICE (LegislativeDepartment) New Delhi, the IstJanuary, 20I61Pausha 11, 1937 (Saka) The follov'iing ct of Parliament received the assent of the President on the 315tDecember,2015.a disherebypublishedforgeneralinformation:- THESCHED· EDCASTESANDTHESCHEDULEDTRIBES (PREV NTION OFATROCITIES)AMENDMENT ACT, 2015 No. I of20l6 [31slDecember,2015.] AnActtoamend tl eScheduledCastesandtheScheduledTribes(Prevention ofAtrocities)Act, 1989. BEitenactedbyPtrliamentintheSixty-sixthYe,u'oftheRepubljcofIndiaasfoJ(ows: 1. (1) This Act 1ay be caBeu the Scheuuleu Castes and the Scheduled Tribes Short title (PreventionofAtrociti ')AmendmentAct,2015. and com mencement. (2)Itshallcomei toforceonsuchdateastheCentralGovel11mentmay,bynotification intheOfficialGazette,.ppoint. 2. In the Schedtled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amenument of long title. 33 of 1989, Act, 1989(hereinafterr fen'ed toastheprincipalAct), Lnthelongtitle,forthewords"Special Courts", the \l,/ords "Special Courts and the Exclusive Special Courts" shall be substituted. 2 THEGAZETIEOFINDIAEXTRAORDINARY [PARTII- Amendment 3.In section2ofthe principalAct, insub-section(1),- of section 2. (i) afterclause(b), the following clausesshall beinserted, amely:- '(bb) "dependent" meansthespouse, children. parens, brotherandsister ofthevictim,whoaredependentwhollyormainlyonsuch,.dimforhissupport and maintenance; (be) "economic boycott" means- (i) a refusal to deal with, work for hire or do business with other person: or Ui)todenyopportunitiesindudingaccesstose·vicesorcontractual opportunities for rendering service for consideration or (iii) torefuse todoanythingon thetermson w ich thingswouldbe commonly done in the ordinary courseofbusiness; r (ill) to abstain from the professional or busine s relations that one wouldmaintain withother person; (bd) "Exclusive Special Court" means the Exclu ive Special Court established under sub-section (1) ofsection 14exclusive! to try the offences under this Act; (be) "forest rights" shall have the meaning assigned to it in sub-section (I) ofsection 3oftheScheduledTribes andOtherTradirional ForestDwellers (RecognitionofForestRights)Act,2006; 2 of2otJ7. (b]) "manual scavenger" shall have the meaning ass gned to it in clause (g)ofsub~section(1) ofsection2ofthe Prohibition ofEm laymentasManual ScavengersandtheirRehabilitationAct, 2013; 25 of 2013. (bg) "publicservant" means apublic servantas defi edundersection 21 of the Indian Penal Code. as well as any other person de med to be a public 45 of 1860. servant uncleranyotherlawforthe timebeingin force and nclucles any person acting in his official capacity under the Central Gove ment or the State Government, as thecase may be;': Ui) afterclause(e), thefollowing clausesshall be inserted, amely: '(ea) "Schedule" means the Scheduleappended to tlis Act: (eb)"social boycott"meansarefusal topermitapers ntorendertoother person or receive from him any customary service or to .hstain from social relations that one would maintain with other person or a isolate him from others; (ec) "victim" means any individual whofalls within hedefinition ofthe "ScheduledCastes and ScheduledTribes" underclause ( ) ofsub-section (f) ofsection2,andwhohassufferedorexpeliencedphysical.m mal,psychological. emotionalormonetaryhallllorhalllllohi~properlya~ares:toCthecommission ofanyoffenceunderthisAct andincludeshisrelatives, leg' Iguardianandlegal heirs; (ed) "witness" means any perSOll who is acquaintel with the facts and circumstances,orisinpossessionofanyjnformationorhas nowledgenecessary forthepurposeofinvestigation,inquiryortlialofanycrime nvolvinganoffence under this Act, ::md who is or Illay be required to give inf rmation or make a stalementorproduce<mydocumentduring investigation, in Juiryortrialofsuch case and includes a victim ofsuch offcm:c;'; SEC. l] HEGAZEITEOFlNDIAEXTRAORDlNARY 3 (iii)forcla se(j), thefollowingclauseshall besubstituted,namely:- "if)tlewordsandexpressionsusedbutnotdefinedinthisActanddefined 45 of 1860. intheIndi<nPenalCode,theIndianEvidenceAct, 1872ortheCodeofCliminal [ of 1872. Procedure, 1973, as the case may be, shaH be deemed to have the meanings 1 of 1974. respective! assigned to them in those enactments.". 4. III section3ofthe principal Act,- Amendment of section 3. (i)forsub- ectioo(1),thefollowingsub-sectionshallbesubstituted.namely: '(1) hoever, notbeing a memberofaScheduledCaste or a Scheduled Tribe,~ (a) puts any inedible or obnoxious substance into the mouth of a men bel'ofaScheduledCasteoraScheduledTribeorforcessuchmember to eli'nk oreatsuch inedible or obnoxious substance; (b) dumps excreta, sewage, carcasses or any other obnoxious subs ance in premises. or at theentrance ofthe premises, occupied by a men bel'ofaScheduledCasteoraScheduledTribe; (c)withintenttocauseinjury,insultorannoyancetoanymemberof a Scleduled Caste or a Scheduled Ttibe, dumps excreta, waste maHer, carc'sses or any other obnoxious substance in his neighbourhood; (d)garlandswithfootwearorparadesnakedorsemi-nakedamember ofa checluledCasteoraScheduledTribe; (e)forciblycommits011amemberofaScheduledCasteoraScheduled Ttib anyact,suchasremovingclothesfromtheperson,forcibletonsllfing ofh ad,removingmoustaches, paintingface orbodyoranyothersimilar act, hich isderogatory to human dignity; (j) wrongfully occupies orcultivates anyland, owned by, or in the pass ssion oforallotted to, ornotified by any competentauthority to be allot ed to, amemberofaScheduledCaste oraScheduledTribe, orgets such land transfelTed; (g) wrongfully dispossesses a member of a Scheduled Caste or a • Sch duledTlibefrom hislandorpremisesorinterfereswiththeenjoyment ufhi .rights.includingforestrights,overanyJanelorpremisesorwateror irrigition facilities or destroys the crops or takes away the produce ther from. Exp/WlQfion.-For the purposes ofclause (f) and tillS clause, the expr ssion"wrongfully"includes- (A) against the person's will; (B) without the person's consent; (C) with the person's consent, where such consent has been obtained by putting the person, or any other person in ,"vhorn the person is interested in fearofdeath orofhurt; or (D) rabricating recordsofsuch land; (II)mukesamemberofaScheduledCasteoraScheduledTribetodo "be ar" or other rorms of forced or bonded labour other than any com uisory service for public purposes imposed by theGovernment; (i)compelsamemberofaScheduledCasteoraScheduledTribeto disp f.ieorcarry human or animal carcasses, orto dig graves; 4 THEGAZElTEOFINDIAEXTRAORDINARY lPARTlJ- (j)makesamemberofaScheduledCasteoraS heduledTribetodo manualscavengingoremploysorpermitstheemploy entofsuchmember for such purpose; (k) performs, or promotes dedicating a Sc cduled Caste or a Schedule.dTribewomantoadeity,idol.objectofwors ip,temple.orother religious institution as adel'Cldasior:lnyothersimila practiceorpermits aforementioned acts: (I)forcesorintimidatesorpreventsamember0 aScheduledCaste oraScheduledTribe- (A) nottovoteorto votc foraparticular andidateortovote in a mannerotherthan thatprovided by law; (ll)nottofileanominationasacandidate rtowithdrawsuch nomination; or (C)nottoproposeorsecondthenorninati f] ofamemberofa ScheduledCasteoraScheduledTribeasacandi ateinanyelection; (m)forcesorintimidatesOfobstruClliamember faScheduledCaste oraScheduledTribe,whoisamemberoraChairpers noraholderofany other office of a Panchayat uncleI' Part IX of the Constitulion or a Municipality uncleI'PartIXA ofthe Constitution, fr0i1m performing their normal duties and n.mctions; (n)afterthepoll. causes hUrlorgrievoushurtorassaultorimposes or threatens to impose sodal or economic boycott u on a member ofa Scheduled CasteoraScheduledTribeorpreventsfr mavailingbencfilS ofany publicservicewhich isdueto him; (0) COmmiL"i any offence under lhis Act agai 5t a member of a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe for having v ted or 110t hewing votedforaparticularcandidateorforhavingvotedinamannerprovided by law: (p) institutes false. malicious or vexatious suit rcriminal orother legal proceedingsagainstamemberofaScheduledClsteoraScheduled Tribe; (q) gives any false or frivolous inforrnalion to any public servant and thereby causes such public servant to use his 1wful power to the injury or annoyance ofa member ofa Scheduled C,ste or a Scheduled Tribe; (r) ilHentionally insults or intimidates with in em to humiliate a member ofa Scheduled Caste ora ScheduledTribe In any place within publicvlcw: (5) abuses any memberofaScheduledCaste0 aScheduledTribe bycastenamein any placewilhinpublicview; (I) destroys. damages or defiles l.Iny object gen rally known to be heldsacredorin highesteem bymembersoftheSl:he uledC,\stesorthe ScheduledTribes. Explalllltiull.-For the purposes of this clau e. the expression "object" means and includes statue. photograph and rtrait: (u) by words either written or spoken or by igns or by visible representation or otherwise promotes orattempts to mmote feelings of enmity, hatreJorill-will againstmembers ofthe Sl.:hcfuled Caslesorthe Scheduled Tribes: SEC. I] }ffiGAZEITEOFINDIAEXTRAORDINARY 5 (v) by words either written or spoken or by any other means disr I peets an)' late person held in high esteem by members of the Sehe uled Castes or the ScheduledTribes; (1\1) (i) intentionally touches a woman belonging to a Scheduled Cast or a Scheduled Tribe. knowing that she belongs to a Scheduled or or Cast or a Scheduled Tlibe, when such act touching is a sexual natUlc and is without the recipient's cunsent; (ii)useswords,actsorgesturesofasexual naturetowardsawoman helOt ging to a Scheduled Caste or a ScheduledTribe, knowing that she belOlre.S 10aScheduledCasteoraScheduledTribe. Explananoll.-For the purposes of sub-clause (f), the expressIOn "confe"f' means an unequivocal voluntary agreement when the person by \lords, gestures. ur any form of non-verbal communication, com unicates willingness toparticipateinthe specificact: Provided that a woman belonging to a Scheduled Caste or a SCh~uled Tribe who does not offer physical resistance to any act ofa sexu I nature is not by reason only of that fact, is to be regarded as cons nling to the sexual activity: Provided further that a woman'ssexual history, including with the oHeldershall notimplyconsentor mitigate theoffence; (x)corrupts orfouls the waterofany spring, reservoiroranyother sour e ordinarily used by members of the Scheduled Castes or the Sch uledTribes soas to renderit I~ss titfor the purposeforwhich it is oreli arily used: (y)deniesamemberofaScheduledCasteoraScheduledTlibeany Cllst mary right ofpassage to a place ofpublic resoll or obstructs such men bel'so as to prevent him from using or having access to a place of publ cresorttowhichothermembersofpublicoranyothersectionthereof hav a right to use or access to: (z) forces orcauses.t memberofaS\:heduledCasteoraScheduled Trib to leavehishouse, villageorotherplaceofresidence: Provided thal nothing contained in this clause shall apply to any acti Dluken in discharge ofupublic duty; (<:(1) obstructs or prevents a member of a Scheduled Caste or a Sell dulcdTribein anymannerwith regardto-- (A) usingcommon properlYresourcesofan area, orburial or cremation ground equaUy with others or using any river, stream, spring,well,tank,cistern,water-taporotherwateringplace,orany bathing ghat, any public conveyance. any road. or passage: (8) mounting or riding bicycles or motor cycles or wearing footwear or new clothes in public places or taking out wedding procession.ormountingahorseoranyothervehicleduringwedding processions: (C)enteringanyplaceofworship....,hich isopen tothepublic or other persons professing the same religion or taking part in, or taking out, any religious. social or cultural processions including ja/ras; (D)enteringanyeducational institution, hospital,dispensary, primary health centre,shoporplaceofpublic entertainmentorany 6 THEGAZETIEOFINDIAEXTRAORDINARY] [PARTn- otherpublicplace;orusinganyutensilsorarticlesmeant forpublic use in any placeopen to the public: or (E) practicing any profession or thelCarrYillg on of any occupation,tradeorbusinessoremploymentihanyjobwhichother membersofthepublic,oranysection thereof,!haVearightto useor have access to; (z/J)causesphysicalharmormentalugonyoL.lITJemberofaScheduled Caste or a ScheduledTribe 011 the allegation ofpr<IFticing witchcraft or being awitch;or I I (zc)imposesorthreatensas<XialoreconomicJoYCOltofanyperson or a family or a group belonging to a Scheduled qaste or a Scheduled Tribe. shall bepunishablewith imprisonmentforatermwhichshaInotbelessthansix months hutwhich mayextend tofive years and withfine.' (ii) in stlb~section(2),- th~l (a) in clause (v), for the words "on the. ground such person is a memberofaScheduledCasteoraScheduledTribeorsllchlPropcrrybelongs to suchmember",thewords"knowingthatsuchpersonisamemberofaScheduled CasteoraScheduledTribe orsuch property b~longstosU9h member" shall be substituted: I (b)afterclause(~'). the followingclauseshall beinserted, namely:- "(Fa)commitsanyoffencespecifiedintheSChedlJle,againstaperson a ota orproperty, knowing that sut:h person is member ScheduledCaste or" ScheduledTribe or such property belongs to SliC/l member, shall be punishable with such punishment as specified under the Indian Penal Code for such offences andshall also be liable to lin4". 45 of 1860. Suhstitution of 5. Forsection4oftheptincipalAct,thefollowingsectionshallbesu~stituted,namely:- new SCl;tion for section 4. Punishment "4.(I) Whoever, beingapublicservantbut not beinga melllberofaScheduled for neglect of Caste or aScheduledTribe, wilfully neglects his duties required to be pCliolll1ed by duties. himunderthisActandtherulesmadethereunder,shallbepunishable]withimprisonment fora term which sha.1I not beless th::m six months but which m<.lYixtendtooneyear. (lr (2) TheJuties ofpublic servant referred to in sllb~section shall indude (a)toreadouttoaninl"onnanttheinformationgivenor111Y.andreducedLO writing by theofficerin chargeofthepoliL:c station. beforet king lhesignature oftheinformam; (b) toregister[\complaintoraFirsl Information ReportlullderthisActand other relevant provisions and to regis[er it under appropriate sections of this Act; 1 (c) to furnish a copy of the information so recorde1 forthwith to the informant; I (d) to record the statemenl ofthe victims or witnesses;1 (e) toconduct the investigation and filechargesheet in the Special Court ortheExclusiveSpecialCourtwithin aperiodofsixty days.lllld toexplain the delayirany, in writing; I (I) to correctly prepare, frame and translate any docUll1ent or electronic record: I I I I I I SEC. I] GAZEITEOFINDIAEXTRAORDINARY 7 (g) t perform any other duty specified in this Act or the rules made thereunder: Provi1cdthatthechargesinthisregardagainstthepublicservantshallbe bookedon herecommendation ofan administrativeenquiry. (3) The c gnizance in respect of any dereliction of duty referred to in sub-section(2)b apublicservantshallbetakenbytheSpecialCourtortheExclusive Special Court and shall give direction for penal proceedings against such public servant.". 6. In section8of he principalAcl,- Amendment ofsecliun 8. (i) inc1aus~ (a),forthewords"anyfinancial assistancetoaperson accusedof', the words"~nyffanCi31 as.sistance in rchHion totheolTences commlt1ed by a person accused of" shal be SubSllluted; (ii)aftercI use (b), the followingclauseshall beinserted. namely:- "(c) le accused was having personal knowledge of the vJctim or his family. the1rourtshall presume thattheaccusedwasawareofthecasteortribal identity of he victim, unless the contrary is proved.". 7. In section 10o'theprincipal Act, in sub-section(1),- AIl1~ndll1cnt of!\cction 10. (a) after the words and figures "article 244 of the Constitution". the words, or or brackets and fig res "or any area identified under the provisions clause (vii) sub-section (2) 0 .SCJ;tioll 21"shall be inserted: (b) for the vords "two YCJrs", the words "three years" shall be substituted. 8. For section of the principal Act. the following section shall be substituted. Substitution namely:- ofnew SCl;tion for scuion 14. "14. (1) F r the purpose of providing for speedy trial, the State Government Special Court shall.withtheco~cuTTenceoftheChiefJusticeoftheHighCourt,bynotification inthe and E...clusive Special Court. OfficialGazette,establishanExclusiveSpecialCOUliforoncormoreDistricts: Providedt1atin DistrictswherelessnumberofcasesunderthisActisrecorded. the State Goverjmcnt shall, with the concun'ence of the ChiefJustJce of the High Court.by notitlc¥tion in the Official Gazelle, specify [orsuch Districts, theCOUllof Session to bea SpecialCOLUl to try theoffences under thisAct: Provided f nherthattheCourtssoestablishedorspecifiedshall have powerto directly rake cog izanceofoffence~underthisAct. (2) Itshall ethedut)'ortheSL.1.teGovemmenttoestablishadequatenllmberor Couns to ensur that cases under this Act are disposed of within a period of two months, as far a possible. (3) In eve trial ill the Special Court or the Exclusive Special Court, the proceedingsshal becontinued from daY-la-day until all the \vilneSses in attendance havebeeneXilmi ed.unlesstheSpecialCourtortheExclusiveSpecialCOUltfindsthe adjournment of1 esamebeyond the following day to benecessary for reasons to be recordedillwriti g: Providedt atwhenthetlialrelatesroanoffenceunderthisAct,thetrial shall,as far as possible, b completed within aperiodoftwomonths from thedateoffiling of the charge sheet". 8 THEGAZEITEOFlNDIAEXTRAORDINARY [PARTTI- Insenion of 9.Aftersection14oftheprincipalAct,thefollowingsectionshall inserted,namely:- new seclion 14A. Appeals. "14A. (I) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code or Criminal Procedure.1973.anappealshalllie.fromanyjudgment,sentence rorder,notbeingan ::! of 1974. interlocutoryorder,ofaSpecialCourtoranExclusiveSpecialCo rt,totheHighCourt both on facts and on law. (2)Notwithstandinganythingcontainedin sub-section (3) fsection378ofthe CodeofCriminalProcedure. 1973,anappealshall lietotheHigh uJ1againstanorder 2 of 1974. oftheSpecialCOllrturIhe ExclusiveSpecialCourtgrantingorrefusingbail. (3) Notwithstanding anythingcontained in anyother law fpr the time being in force, everyappeal underthissectionshall bepreferredwithinaP,eriod01"ninetydays I"rom thedateofthejudgmenl,sentenceororderappealed from: ProvidedthattheHighCourtmayentertainanappealafterI eexpiryofthesaid period ofninety days irit is satisfied that the appellant had suf icientCause for not preferringtheappeal within the periodofninety days: Providedfurtherthatnoappealshall beentertainedaftertheexpiryoftheperiod ofone hundred and eight)' days. (4) Every appeal prefeITcd under sub-section (I) shaH, a far as possible, be disposedofwithinaperiodofthreemonthsfrom thedateofadmi. 'ionoftileappeal.". SubSlitution of 10. For section 15 of the principal Ac:t, the rollowing section,hall be substituted, new se<.:tioll for namely:- sct:!iotl 15. Spedul Public "15. (I) ForeverySpecialCourt.theStateGovernmentsh' I, by notification in Prosecutor theOfficial Gazette,specifyaPublic Prosecutororappointanad ocatewhohasbeen :lIld Exdusivc Public in practlceasanadvocate for notlessthan sevenyears. asaSpeci IPublicProsecutor Prosecutor. for the purpose ofconducting cases in thatCourt. (2)ForeveryExclusiveSpecialCOUll.theStateGovel11lllent hall.bynotification in the Official Gazette, specify an Exclusive Special Public Pros utor or appoint an advocate who has been in practice as an advocate for not less tha seven years, as an ExclusiveSpecialPublicProsecutorforthepurposeofconducting asesinthatCourt.··. Insertion of 11. After Chapter IV of [he principal Act, [he following Chapt r shall be inserted, nt'\!. Chap(~r namely:- IVA. "CHAPTERNA RIGHTSOFVICTIMSANDWITNESSES Rights of 15A.(f)ItsimiIbethedUlyandresponsibilityoftheStatetOl1lakealT,mgcmems l victims and for the protection of victims, their dependents, and witnesses against any kind of witncsse.s. intimidation orcoercionorinducementor violeneoorthreatsofjOlenee. (2) A victim shall be treated wi(h fairness. respect and d nity and with due regard to any specjal need that arises because of the victim" age or gender or educational disadvantage or poverry. (3) Avictim or his dependent shall have the right to reaso able, accurate, and timely notice ofany Courtprm.:eeding including any bail procee ing and theSpecial PublicProseculorortheStateGovernmentshallinformthevictlma outanyproceedings under thisAct. (4)AvictimorhisdcpendcIllshall havetherighlloapply to heSpecialCour!or theExclusiveSpecial Court, as thecase may be. tosummon parti sfor productionof allY documents or material. witnesses orexamine the persons pI' sent. SEC. IJ HEGAZETTEOFlNDlAEXTRAORDINARY 9 (5) A vieti or his dependent shall be entitled to be heard at any proceeding under thisAct i respectofbaiL discharge, release,parole, conviction orsentenceof an accused or a y connected proceedings Of arguments and file written submission 011 conviction, a quitta] or sentencing. (6) Notwi hstanding anything contained 111 the Code of Criminal Procedure, 2 of 1974. 1973,theSpecia CourtortheExclusiveSpecialCountryingacaseunderthisActshall provideto a viet111, his dependent, infonnantor witnesses- (a) t e complete protection to secure the ends ofjustice; (b) t etravellingandmaintenanceexpensesduring investigation, inquiry and trial: (c) t e social-economic rehabilitatlon durjng investigation. inquiry and trial;and (d) r location. (7)TheSt teshall informtheconcernedSpecialCourtortheExclusiveSpecial Court about the protection provided to any victim or his dependenLinformant or witnesses and Slch Courtshall periodically review the protection being offered and pass appropriar· orders. (8) Vlitho t prejudice to the generality ofthe provisions ofsub-section (6), the concemedSped CourtortheExclusiveSpecialCourtmay,onanapplication madeby avictim orhisd pendent, informantorwitness in any proceedings beforeitorbythe SpecialPublicPosecutorinrelationtosuchvictim,informantorwitnessoronitsO\vn motion, take su 1 measures inc!uding- (a) oncealing the names and addresses of the witnesses in its orders or judgmentsor in any records ofthe case accessible to the public; (b) i··su.ingdirections for non-disclosure ofthe identity and addresses of the witne ses: (c)t keimmediateaction illrespectofanycomplaintrelatingtoharassment ofavictim intOll11antorwitness3.ndonthesameday,i rnecessary,passappropJiate orders for protection: Pro ided thatinquiry or investigation into the complaint received undef clause (c) shall be tried separately from the main case by such Court and concludedwithinaperiodoftwomonthsfromthedateofreceiptofthecomplaint: Pro ided furtherthat \vherethecomplaintunderclause(c) is againstany publicser 'ant, theCourtshallrestrainsuchpublicservantfrominterferingwith the victim informant or witness, as the case may be, in any matter related or unrelated 0 thependingcase, exceptwith the pennission oftheCourt. (9)ItshallbethedutyoftheInvestigatingOfficerandtheStationHouseOfficer torecordtheCOl laintofvictim.informantorwilnessesagainstanykindofintimidation, coercion orindu'ementorviolenceorthreatsofviolence, whethergiven orally or in writing,andaph tocopyoftheFirstInformationReportshaU beimmediatelygivento them at free ofc st. ccedingsrelatingtooflCncesunderthisAct shall bevideorecorded. (II) itshu IbethedutyoftheconcernedStatetospecifyanappropliatescheme to ensure implellelllation of the following fights and entitlements of victims and witnesses in ac essingjustic~ so as- (a) provide a copy ofthe recordedFirstInformation Report at free of cost; to THEGAZETTEOFINDlAEXTRAORDlNARY IPARTU- (b)toprovideimmediatereliefincashorinkindtoatr ityvictimsortheir dependents: (c) to provide necessary protection to the atroci y victims or their dependents, and witnesses: (d) toprovidereliefin respectofdeathorinjuryord magetopropcny; (e)toarrangefoodorwaterorclothingorshelterorm icalaidorInmsport facilitiesordailyallowances10victims; (j) to provide the maintenanceexpenses to thealroc·t")' victims and their dependents: (g) to provide the information about the rights ofatl city victims at the timeofmakingcomplaintsandregistelingtheFirst Inform,tionReport; (11) to provide the protection to atrocity victims or t1 eirdependents and witnesses from intimidation and harassment; (i) to provide the information to atrocity victims or hcir dependents or associatedorganisationsorindividuals.onthestatusofinve"ligationandcharge sheet ami to provick copy ofthe chJrge sheet at free ofc ·t; (J) totakenecessary precautionsatthetimeofmedic Iexamination; (k) to provide information lo atrocity victims or t eir dependents or associated organisations or individuals, regarding the relie amount; (I) to provide information to atrocity victims or I eir dependents or associatedorganis<.lliunsorindividuals. in advanceabuutth datesand placeof investigation and trial: (m)togiveadequatebJiefingontheCJseandprepaf'dti 11fort1iallOatrocity victims or their dependents or associated organisations 0 individuals and to provide the legal aid for thesaid purpose: (11) to execute the rights of atrocity victims or IIeir dependents or associatedorganisationsorindividualsatevery stageofth proceedings under thisAct andto provide the necessary assistance for theexe utian ofthe rights. (12) It shall be the right of the atrocity victims or their ependents, to lake assistance from theNon-GovernmentOrganisations,social work rsorad\'ucates..·. Insertion of 12. After section 23 of the principal Act, the following Schedue shall be inserted. new Schedule. nall1ely:~ 'THESCHEDULE [Seeseclion3(2)(va)] Section under fhc Nameofoffcnceand punishment IndianPenal Code 120A Definitionufcriminalconspiracy. 120B Punishmentofcriminalconspiracy. 141 Unlav,!fulassembly. 142 Beingmemberofunlawrutassembly. 12 GAZETIEOFINDfAEXTRAORDINARY [PARTH-SEC.II Repeal and 13. (1) The Seh uled CaSles and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) saving. AmendmentOrdinance 2014isherebyrepealed. Ort! or I 2014. (2)Notwi[hstand 19suchrepeal,anythingdoneoranyactiontakenundertheprincipal ACl, as amended by th· said Ordinance, shall bcdeemed tohave been doneortaken under the corresponding pruv sions ofthe plincipal Act, as amended by thisAct. DR.G.NARAYANARAJU. SeCreUlf)! to the Go\'!. of india. PRINTED BYTIlEGE!\'E \Lr.fANAGER.GOVERl\"MENTOFJ1\'DIA PRESS,Mll\o'TOROAD. NEW DELHI AND PUBLSHED BYTHE CO!\""TROI.LER OF PUBLICATIONS. DELHI-2016. GMGtPMRND-3979GI( 3)-02-01-2016.