Section 2 of SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989 : Section 2: Definitions

Explanation using Example

Imagine a situation where a member of the Scheduled Castes (SC) is employed at a local shop in a village. The shop owner, who belongs to a non-SC community, learns about the employee's caste and decides to terminate his employment solely based on this fact. Furthermore, the shop owner influences other village shopkeepers to not employ the individual because of his caste, effectively enforcing an economic boycott as defined in clause (bc).

As a result of this discrimination, the individual, who is the sole breadwinner for his family, including his spouse and children (his dependents as per clause (bb)), faces financial hardship. The individual decides to seek legal help and approaches a lawyer who explains that this act of discrimination and economic boycott is an atrocity as per clause (a) and is punishable under section 3 of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

The case is brought before an Exclusive Special Court (clause (bd)) designed to handle such offences. The court appoints a Special Public Prosecutor (clause (e)) to handle the case. During the trial, the victim's family members and other villagers who witnessed the discrimination act as witnesses (clause (ed)).

The court, after hearing the case, finds the shop owner guilty of enforcing an economic and social boycott against the SC employee and penalizes him according to the provisions of the Act. This scenario illustrates the application of Section 2 of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, in protecting individuals from caste-based discrimination and ensuring their civil rights.