SC/ST Act ruling: No stay on order but SC will reconsider it in 10 days

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to stay its March 20 judgement in connection with the SC/ST (Atrocities) Act case.

"The matter is listed after ten days. All parties to file their written submissions within stipulated time," said the SC division bench, headed by Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel and also comprising Justice Uday Umesh Lalit.

The Supreme Court, while hearing the submissions by the Attorney-General (AG), KK Venugopal, observed, "we are not against the Act."

"Innocent should not be punished," the apex court also observed.

The AG, Venugopal, top law officer representing the central government, was making his submissions before the two-judge Bench. 

Venugopal was submitting as to how the statute was laid down with respect to SC/ ST (Atrocities) Act vis-a-vis its guidelines. 

While pointing out that if a person accused of any Atrocities Act, the Supreme Court observed, "There is no anticipatory bail or there is no forum," for him to seek any relief, in the case. 

The top court, observed, "it seems that those who are agitating may not have even read our judgement." (UNI)