Retired Supreme Court Judge Justice A. K. Patnaik chaired a committee formed to review the cases registered against Scheduled Tribe people of Naxal-affected areas of Chhattisgarh.
The committee reviewed the cases registered against the Scheduled Tribe residents of seven Naxal affected districts of Bastar Range and Rajnandgaon district. Based on the merits and demerits of each case, it would be reviewed in time-bound manner protecting the rights of Scheduled Tribes as per the decision taken.
Apart from the Naxal-related cases, other cases too will be reviewed.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Sunderraj P will review the cases registered under different sections of the Indian Penal Code.
The cases registered under local Special Act will be dealt by DIG Sanjeev Shukla, while secretary-Commissioner, Excise department will take action on the Excise Act related cases.
The secretary, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe department will coordinate for necessary action, as per the decision. Advocate general Chhattisgarh, Kanak Tiwari, Director General of Police D.M. Awasthi along with senior officers of police department and government officials were present at the review meeting.