If a public servant neglects their duty related to Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes, for how long can they be punished under Section 4 of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act?

Correct option is C

The correct answer is (c) 12 months
Explanation:
. Section 4 of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, deals specifically with the "Punishment for neglect of duties" by a public servant.
. If a public servant (who is not a member of a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe) willfully neglects their duties required to be performed under this Act, they are punishable.
. The Act prescribes a punishment of imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to one year (12 months).
. Duties include the registration of an FIR, providing a copy of the FIR to the victim, and recording statements of victims/witnesses.
. This provision ensures that the administrative machinery remains accountable in protecting the rights of the marginalized communities.
Information Booster:
. The SC/ST Act was enacted to prevent atrocities and crimes against members of SC and ST communities.
. It was further strengthened by the Amendment Act of 2015, which added more categories of atrocities and established Special Courts for speedy trials.
Additional Knowledge: 24 months (Option a)
. This duration is longer than the maximum limit of one year specified under Section 4 of the Act.
. Higher punishments are usually reserved for the actual commission of atrocities, not just the neglect of duty.
3 months (Option b)
. This is below the minimum mandatory punishment of six months prescribed for a public servant's negligence under the Act.
0 months (Option d)
. This is incorrect as the Act strictly mandates punishment to prevent administrative apathy toward cases of caste-based discrimination.