The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notice in response to a petition seeking appointment of full-term Chairman, Vice-Chairman and other members of the National Commissions for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. In the plea, the secretary of the Peoples Charioteer Organisation submitted that these commissions have failed to provide any relief in matters pertaining to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes since these posts are lying vacant. It further said that these commissions have also failed to publish annual reports on the development and working of the safeguards put in place for these communities. 

The plea, which was heard by a bench comprising Chief Justice S.A. Bobde, Justices A.S. Bopanna and V. Ramasubramanian, further submitted that such acts and omissions show there is lack of empathy and seriousness with respect to the rights of SCs and STs. It added that nothing is being done to safeguard their right in case of transgressions. It said improper functioning of these commissions has proved to be catastrophic for the whole communities. It said the community, which is already vulnerable, is being targeted by anti-social elements.

Arguing for the petitioners, Advocate Rajesh Inamdar submitted that none of the positions of the National Commissions for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes have been filled. In cases of atrocities, there is no adjudication of grievances because of the absence of chairman.

The petition said the absence of office-bearers for aforementioned posts means that they are being run by the bureaucracy, which makes them toothless and ineffective. It further said several victims of atrocities belonging to SC and ST community do not have anywhere to go to seek justice.

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Taking cognizance of the matter, the bench issued notice.