The Supreme Court today decided to hear next week the Centre's plea seeking review of its March 20 verdict on the SC/ST Act but made it clear that it would not entertain any other petition in the matter.
Attorney General K K Venugopal mentioned the matter before a bench comprising Justices Adarsh Kumar Goel and Deepak Gupta and sought listing of the case. He told the bench that he had already filed his written submission.
"The last line of your last order says that list the matter after written submission is filed. I have filed my written submission. Four states have also filed review petitions. Please give us a date," Venugopal told the bench.
In his written submission filed in the apex court, the Attorney General has said that the verdict has "diluted" the stringent provisions of the Act, resulting in "great damage" to the country by causing anger and a sense of disharmony among the people.
Justice Goel said the matter would be heard in the next week. "You tell us when it is convenient for you. It will have to be in the next week," the bench observed after which the matter was fixed for hearing on May 3.
However, one of the advocates informed the bench that a number of petitions have already been filed in the case.
"We are not entertaining any other petition," the bench said, adding, "it is the same issue. When the Attorney General is here, you all assist him".
The Centre had moved the apex court on April 2 seeking review of its judgement by which safeguards were put on the provisions for immediate arrest under the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989,