Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday said that from 2004 to 2014, cases of atrocities against Scheduled Castes were either not registered or, if registered, were suppressed and victims of such atrocities had to run from pillar to post to get their cases registered. 

Speaking during the winter session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha, the Chief Minister said that in 2014, the current government came into power, acknowledging this concern and proactive measures were taken to rectify the situation. Strict directives were issued to police stations, ensuring that every individual seeking to register an FIR is facilitated without any impediment, said Khattar.

Responding to questions about corruption cases, he explained that upon receiving a complaint of corruption, the initial step is the registration of an FIR. Subsequently, a thorough investigation is conducted, and based on the findings, appropriate actions are determined.  He said that detailed information regarding how many cases registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 have been withdrawn, compromised, or canceled during the previous government's tenure should also be obtained and shared on the floor of the House.

The Chief Minister said that during disputes, some people file cases under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act but when the state government formed the Scheduled Castes Commission, the Commission was asked to study these cases. The Commission also found that most of the cases were registered on trivial matters. Therefore, the increase in the number of FIRs should not be equated with an increase in crime.

“In our government, every FIR is being registered, and there is no difficulty for the general public in getting FIRs registered now. If corruption is found in any case, the state government will take action against the culprits,” assured Khattar.

Responding to a question asked by MLA, Abhay Singh Chautala regarding corruption cases registered in various Departments, Boards and Corporations, the Chief Minister said that whenever a complaint of corruption comes, the FIR is first registered, after the investigation is done and after investigation it is found whether action is to be taken. Therefore, it is wrong to say mere filing of a complaint means that a scam has occurred.