Una effect: Gujarat to set up 16 special courts to handle SC/ST atrocity cases

The development comes in the backdrop of ongoing stir by Dalits demanding justice for the community. Dalits have been staging protest across Gujarat after four Dalit youths were flogged in Una town of Gir Somnath district on July 11 for allegedly skinning a dead cow.

In the wake of Dalit agitation in Gujarat, the state government has announced setting up of 16 special courts across the state for the speedy trial of cases under SC/ST atrocities Act.

Dalits shout slogans during a protest march on Aug 5, 2016 from Ahmedabad to Una town where four Dalits were flogged by alleged cow-vigilantes for skinning a dead cow . (HT file photo)

As per the notification issued by the Gujarat legal department on Thursday, these courts will start functioning from October 1 and will look after only cases under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

These courts will be set up in 15 districts. Ahmedabad will get two different courts - Ahmedabad (Rural) and City Civil Court, Ahmedabad.

Other districts which were alloted these special courts are: Anand, Banaskantha(at Palanpur), Bharuch, Bhavnagar, Gandhinagar, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Kutch (at Bhuj), Mehsana, Patan, Rajkot, Surat, Surendranagar and Vadodara.

As per the notification, these courts are being established in consultation with the chief justice of Gujarat high court.

The development comes in the backdrop of ongoing stir by Dalits demanding justice for the community. Dalits have been staging protest across Gujarat after four Dalit youths were flogged in Una town of Gir Somnath district on July 11 for allegedly skinning a dead cow.