Bhopal: 23% Conviction Rate In SC/ST Atrocity Cases

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Only 23.4% of accused were convicted in cases of atrocities against Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) in Madhya Pradesh in 2024, making it the lowest conviction rate among major crime categories, according to figures released by the State Prosecution Office.

By comparison, cases investigated by the Lokayukta and Economic Offences Wing (EOW) led to convictions in over 65% of instances, despite operational hurdles like delayed investigations and procedural delays in charge sheet approvals.

Conviction rates in other categories also remained low: 28% in crimes such as assault, attempt to murder and murder and 28.68% in sexual offences. In NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) cases, the rate stood at 43.86%.

In all, courts dealt with 48,149 SC/ST-related cases during the year, including 37,500 pending cases and 10,649 new ones. Verdicts were delivered in 8,030 cases. Of these, only 1,413 resulted in convictions, while 4,624 ended in acquittals. Another 1,409 cases concluded through mutual compromise.

Officials said that the conviction rate in SC/ST cases—just 23.4%—was the lowest recorded last year.

28% in assault, attempt to murder, murder

28.68% in sexual offences

43.86% in NDPS (drug-related) cases

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Lokayukta, EOW outperform despite delays

Investigating agencies like Lokayukta and EOW, often questioned for delays and red tape, led the state in securing convictions under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

In 2024, 1,025 corruption-related cases were taken up by courts. Verdicts were delivered in 161 cases—95 ended in convictions, 50 in acquittals, while four were discharged. One case was dismissed by the High Court, and in two cases, the accused remained absconding. The remaining 864 cases are still pending.

This translated to a conviction rate of 65.51%, with most of those found guilty being government officials involved in economic offences and corruption.