Rajasthan SC/ST atrocity cases drop 28% in 2 years as justice speeds up
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Rajasthan has recorded a 28 per cent overall decline in atrocities against Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities between 2023 and 2025, according to data presented at a State-Level Vigilance and Monitoring Committee meeting in Jaipur on 22 July 2026. State officials attributed the improvement to stricter enforcement of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, intensified policing, and faster case disposal.
Key Figures from the Review
Data tabled at the meeting showed a 15.88 per cent decline in registered atrocity cases in 2025 compared to 2024, followed by a further 15.49 per cent reduction in the first half of 2026 relative to the same period in 2025. On case disposal, the proportion of cases resolved within the mandated 60-day period has risen sharply — from 35.16 per cent in 2023 to approximately 47 per cent in 2025, reaching 67.88 per cent by July 2026. The average investigation and disposal period has fallen from 128 days to just 53 days.
What Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma Said
Chairing the committee meeting, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma stated that ensuring the safety, dignity, and constitutional rights of SC/ST communities remains among the government's highest priorities. He directed police and prosecution departments to work in close coordination to improve conviction rates and ensure speedy justice in sensitive cases. Sharma also ordered a special campaign to expedite investigations that have remained unresolved for more than a year.
Institutional and Oversight Measures
SC/ST Cells have been established in 45 police districts, with the remaining six districts to receive dedicated units shortly. The Chief Minister directed authorities to hold district and sub-division-level vigilance meetings regularly and organise Panchayat-level monitoring meetings twice a year to address local concerns. Notably, random verification of cases closed through Final Reports has been increased from 10 per cent to 20 per cent, strengthening oversight and accountability.
Financial Assistance to Victims
The committee also reviewed financial assistance disbursed under the Act over the past three years, including the progress of the online assistance portal and status of pending compensation cases. Sharma directed officials to ensure victims receive financial support promptly at every eligible stage — from FIR registration to the final court verdict — and that district administrations actively monitor pending compensation cases to prevent unnecessary delays.
Who Attended the Meeting
The review was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Premchand Bairwa, Minister of State for Home Jawahar Singh Bedham, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Avinash Gehlot, Chief Secretary V. Srinivas, Director General of Police Rajiv Sharma, and senior representatives from the National Commissions for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, along with other senior state officials.
With disposal timelines still short of universal compliance and long-pending cases under a special drive, the state's next progress review will test whether these gains are sustained or plateau.