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- The Supreme Court refused to stay the recent amendments to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
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The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill of 2018 had restored the legislative intent of the original Act, which barred anticipatory bail to a person accused of insulting or hurting a Dalit.
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The amendments were meant to nullify the effect of a March 20 judgment of the court.
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The verdict removed the bar on accused persons seeking anticipatory bail. It led to widespread protests and loss of lives.
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Admitting the petitions challenging the amendments a Bench directed the government to reply to allegations that the amendments were meant to appease the Dalits ahead of the 2019 general election.
Source
The Hindu