SC ST ACT MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for SC ST ACT - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is 'Imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to five years and with fine'

Key Points

• Punishment for imposing or threatening a social or economic boycott:
  • The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, aims to protect Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) against various forms of discrimination and atrocities, including social or economic boycotts.
  • Under the Act, anyone who imposes or threatens a social or economic boycott against an individual, family, or group belonging to SCs or STs is liable for punishment.
  • The punishment is clearly defined as imprisonment for a term not less than six months but which may extend to five years, along with a fine. This ensures strict legal consequences for such discriminatory actions.
  • The provision underscores the importance of safeguarding marginalized communities from practices that isolate them socially or economically, thereby promoting equality and justice.

Additional Information

• Option 1 - Imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than two months but which may extend to three years and with fine:
  • This option underestimates the severity of punishment prescribed for imposing or threatening a social or economic boycott under the Act.
  • The penalty outlined in this option does not align with the provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
• Option 3 - Imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one year but which may extend to ten years and with fine:
  • Although harsher, this punishment exceeds the prescribed limits under the Act for offenses related to social or economic boycott.
  • The Act focuses on ensuring proportional punishment to deter such acts while maintaining fairness in sentencing.
• Option 4 - Imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one month but which may extend to one year and with fine:
  • This option sets an inadequate punishment for such a serious offense, failing to reflect the gravity of the act of imposing or threatening a social or economic boycott.
  • The Act prescribes stricter penalties to serve as a deterrent against such discriminatory practices.

The correct answer is '1 year'.

Key Points

• Provision under SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989:
  • The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, was enacted to prevent offenses against members of SC and ST communities and ensure their protection.
  • Under this Act, it is mandatory for public servants to promptly record the First Information Report (F.I.R.) when a complaint is lodged by someone belonging to these communities.
  • If a public servant fails to record the F.I.R. intentionally, it is considered an offense under the Act.
  • The punishment for such negligence or intentional omission is imprisonment for a term which may extend to 1 year.

Additional Information

• Explanation of other options:
  • 4 years: This option is incorrect as the punishment for failing to record an F.I.R. under the Act does not extend to 4 years. The Act specifies a maximum of 1 year for this offense.
  • 2 years: While some offenses under other laws or sections might carry a punishment of up to 2 years, this particular violation under the SC/ST Act has a maximum term of 1 year.
  • 7 years: This is incorrect. Seven years of imprisonment applies to more severe crimes under the SC/ST Act or other penal provisions, but not for failing to record an F.I.R.
• Significance of the provision:
  • This provision ensures accountability and emphasizes the need for public servants to act promptly and responsibly when dealing with complaints from vulnerable communities.
  • It helps in reducing discrimination and ensures that justice is accessible to marginalized groups.

The Correct answer is Option 2

Key Points The Act aims to prevent offences of atrocities against members of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, provide for Special Courts for the trial of such offences, and ensure relief and rehabilitation of victims.

The correct answer is One year of imprisonment.

Key Points

• Section 5 of the SC & ST Act,1989,  deals with enhanced punishment for subsequent convictions.
• Specifically, it states that if a person has already been convicted of an offence under this Chapter (chapter II) and is then convicted for a second offence or any subsequent offence, they will face a mandatory minimum imprisonment term of one year.
• The imprisonment can extend up to the maximum punishment prescribed for that specific offence. This means that repeat offenders will receive harsher penalties than first-time offenders.

The correct answer is Option 2. 

Key Points

• Section (1)(bc) of Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 deals with economic boycott.
• Economic boycott means--
  • (i) a refusal to deal with, work for hire or do business with other person; or
  • (ii) to deny opportunities including access to services or contractual opportunities for rendering service for consideration; or
  • (iii) to refuse to do anything on the terms on which things would be commonly done in the ordinary course of business; or
  • (iv) to abstain from the professional or business relations that one would maintain with other person.

The correct answer is 'Imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to five years and with fine'

Key Points

• Punishment for imposing or threatening a social or economic boycott:
  • The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, aims to protect Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) against various forms of discrimination and atrocities, including social or economic boycotts.
  • Under the Act, anyone who imposes or threatens a social or economic boycott against an individual, family, or group belonging to SCs or STs is liable for punishment.
  • The punishment is clearly defined as imprisonment for a term not less than six months but which may extend to five years, along with a fine. This ensures strict legal consequences for such discriminatory actions.
  • The provision underscores the importance of safeguarding marginalized communities from practices that isolate them socially or economically, thereby promoting equality and justice.

Additional Information

• Option 1 - Imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than two months but which may extend to three years and with fine:
  • This option underestimates the severity of punishment prescribed for imposing or threatening a social or economic boycott under the Act.
  • The penalty outlined in this option does not align with the provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
• Option 3 - Imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one year but which may extend to ten years and with fine:
  • Although harsher, this punishment exceeds the prescribed limits under the Act for offenses related to social or economic boycott.
  • The Act focuses on ensuring proportional punishment to deter such acts while maintaining fairness in sentencing.
• Option 4 - Imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one month but which may extend to one year and with fine:
  • This option sets an inadequate punishment for such a serious offense, failing to reflect the gravity of the act of imposing or threatening a social or economic boycott.
  • The Act prescribes stricter penalties to serve as a deterrent against such discriminatory practices.

The correct answer is '1 year'.

Key Points

• Provision under SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989:
  • The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, was enacted to prevent offenses against members of SC and ST communities and ensure their protection.
  • Under this Act, it is mandatory for public servants to promptly record the First Information Report (F.I.R.) when a complaint is lodged by someone belonging to these communities.
  • If a public servant fails to record the F.I.R. intentionally, it is considered an offense under the Act.
  • The punishment for such negligence or intentional omission is imprisonment for a term which may extend to 1 year.

Additional Information

• Explanation of other options:
  • 4 years: This option is incorrect as the punishment for failing to record an F.I.R. under the Act does not extend to 4 years. The Act specifies a maximum of 1 year for this offense.
  • 2 years: While some offenses under other laws or sections might carry a punishment of up to 2 years, this particular violation under the SC/ST Act has a maximum term of 1 year.
  • 7 years: This is incorrect. Seven years of imprisonment applies to more severe crimes under the SC/ST Act or other penal provisions, but not for failing to record an F.I.R.
• Significance of the provision:
  • This provision ensures accountability and emphasizes the need for public servants to act promptly and responsibly when dealing with complaints from vulnerable communities.
  • It helps in reducing discrimination and ensures that justice is accessible to marginalized groups.

The correct answer is option 4Key Points

• Section 2 (a) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 deals with  “atrocity” means an offence punishable under section 3. 
• Section 3(1) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 deals with Punishment for offences of atrocities. Whoever, not being a member of a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe:
  • (a) Puts any inedible or obnoxious substance into the mouth of a member of a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe or forces such member to drink or eat such inedible or obnoxious substance;
  • (r) Intentionally insults or intimidates with intent to humiliate a member of a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe in any place within public view.
  • (l) Forces or intimidates or prevents a member of a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe not to vote or to vote for a particular candidate or to vote in a manner other than that provided by law.
    • Shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to five years and with fine.

The correct answer is Option 2.

Key Points

• Section 2(ed) of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities Act), 1989, deals with the definition of 'witness'. 
• "Witness" means any person who is acquainted with the facts and circumstances, or is in possession of any information or has knowledge necessary for the purpose of investigation, inquiry or trial of any crime involving an offence under this Act, and who is or may be required to give information or make a statement or produce any document during investigation, inquiry or trial of such case and includes a victim of such offence.

The correct answer is Option 2.

Key Points

• The SC & ST Act specifically establishes Special Courts and Exclusive Special Courts to ensure the swift and focused trial of offences committed against members of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
• This measure is a critical component of the Act's objective to prevent atrocities and provide justice. 

The correct answer is The Special Court or the Exclusive Special Court. 

Key Points

• According to Section 4(3) of the SC & ST Act, 1989, any dereliction of duty by a public servant as specified in the Act will be taken cognizance of by the Special Court or the Exclusive Special Court.
• These courts have the authority to give directions for penal proceedings against the public servant who has neglected their duties.
• This means that only these designated courts can officially recognize and address the failure of public servants to perform their required duties under this Act and initiate appropriate legal action against them.

The Correct answer is Option 2

Key Points The Act aims to prevent offences of atrocities against members of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, provide for Special Courts for the trial of such offences, and ensure relief and rehabilitation of victims.

The correct answer is One year. 

Key Points

• Section 5 of the SC & ST Act,1989,  deals with enhanced punishment for subsequent convictions.
• Specifically, it states that if a person has already been convicted of an offence under this Chapter (chapter II) and is then convicted for a second offence or any subsequent offence, they will face a mandatory minimum imprisonment term of one year.
• The imprisonment can extend up to the maximum punishment prescribed for that specific offence. This means that repeat offenders will receive harsher penalties than first-time offenders.

The correct answer is Option 2

Key Points

• Section 4(2) of the Act enumerates specific duties that public servants are expected to perform under the statute. These duties are fundamental in ensuring that the legal process is accessible, transparent, and fair to the victims of atrocities.
• Key duties include registering complaints or First Information Reports (FIRs), reading the information recorded back to the informant, furnishing copies of such information, and conducting timely investigations. Notably, the duty to provide legal counsel to the informant is absent from this list.
• The mention of legal counsel typically pertains to the rights of the accused or to legal aid provisions in other contexts, not as a duty imposed on public servants under this Act.
• This omission is significant because it highlights the focused nature of the Act on procedural compliance and victim support, rather than on extending legal advisory services.

The correct answer is One year of imprisonment.

Key Points

• Section 5 of the SC & ST Act,1989,  deals with enhanced punishment for subsequent convictions.
• Specifically, it states that if a person has already been convicted of an offence under this Chapter (chapter II) and is then convicted for a second offence or any subsequent offence, they will face a mandatory minimum imprisonment term of one year.
• The imprisonment can extend up to the maximum punishment prescribed for that specific offence. This means that repeat offenders will receive harsher penalties than first-time offenders.