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Expressing concern over poor conviction rates in cases registered under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in Mangaluru City and Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka Dalit Sangharsha Samiti State Organisation Convenor M. Devadas said on Sunday (October 26) that police should step up efforts to improve conviction rates and instil fear among violators. Speaking at the monthly SC/ST grievances redressal meeting at the office of the Mangaluru Police Commissioner, Mr. Devadas said that as per the information provided under the Right to Information Act, of 151 cases registered in the city between 2015 and 2025, only seven cases ended in conviction. Similarly, of the 140 cases registered in different police stations in Dakshina Kannada during the same period, accused in only five cases were convicted. “This is a poor conviction rate. The accused seems to have no fear of violations. The police needs to step up efforts to improve the conviction rate,” Mr. Devadas underscored. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime and Traffic) K. Ravi Shankar said officials with the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police investigate cases under the SC/ST Act. Among the reasons for acquittal include complainants and witnesses turning hostile during case trials in court. “We are making our personnel more aware about the Act. We need support from people in ensuring conviction,” Mr. Shankar said. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) H.N. Mithun, who chaired the meeting, said that with the State government granting police station status to Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE) Cell, all cases under the SC/ST Act, after their registration in police stations, are transferred to the district unit of DCRE Cell for investigation. Cases under the SC/ST Act and other crimes are being closely monitored by the police in courts to ensure conviction. Mr. Mithun stated that henceforth, city police will hold a legal awareness programme for Dalit activits once a month. Superintendent of Police, DCRE Cell, C.A. Simon, and the public prosecutor in the special court of SC/ST cases, will be called to the the same programme. Activist Girish expressed the need for the district administration to fix rates to make laterite stones and sand available to people at affordable prices. When another activist sought the shift of the District DCRE Cell office from Urwa, an officer from the Cell said that the Cell has asked for a space on the second floor of the district office complex, Praja Soudha, in Padil.
