SC/ST Act: Individual cannot be arrested on basis of 'one-sided version', observes SC

An individual cannot be arrested on a 'one-sided version,' the Supreme Court observed on Wednesday.

The apex court, while hearing centre's review petition against the dilution of SC/ST Act, said that we are not living in a civilised society if a sword is hanging on someone's head that he can be arrested at any time on the basis of a one-sided version of an incident.

In its last hearing too, the apex court had rejected the Centre's demand for a stay on its verdict on the SC/ST Act and said it favoured "100 percent" the protection of the rights of these communities and punishing those guilty of atrocities against them.

The Centre had moved the apex court on 2 April seeking review of its judgement by which safeguards were put on the provisions for immediate arrest under the SC/ST Act.

Several states were rocked by widespread violence and clashes following a 'Bharat Bandh' call given by several organisations protesting the top court's order. The violence had claimed eight lives.