Gujarat High Court Seeks State's Response on SC/ST Committee Meetings

The Gujarat High Court has sought a response from the state government regarding Congress MLA Jignesh Mevani's plea for the effective implementation of biannual meetings of the high-power committee under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The meetings have not been convened for three years, despite statutory requirements.

The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday demanded a response from the state government following a plea by Congress legislator Jignesh Mevani, who called for effective implementation of biannual meetings of the high-power committee established under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Justice Sangeeta Vishen instructed the state pleader to gather information from the Gujarat government, noting that the state-level vigilance and monitoring committee had not convened in the last three years. Mevani, representing the SC-reserved constituency of Vadgam, asserted in his plea that as a committee member, he sought adherence to the Act's rules mandating two annual meetings.

The meetings are critical for reviewing the Act's implementation, including victim rights and relief measures. Advocate Anand Yagnik, representing Mevani, highlighted that despite several appeals to the Chief Minister, the committee had not convened. The court scheduled further hearings for Thursday.