In a historic and unprecedented move, the Punjab State Scheduled Caste Commission is set to launch its own courtroom — a bold step to tackle the mountain of pending complaints and ensure that justice for the Scheduled Caste community is no longer delayed or denied.
The court will be set up on the fourth floor of the Punjab Civil Secretariat and is expected to become fully operational by January 2026. What makes this initiative revolutionary is that for the first time in Punjab’s history, people will be able to attend hearings virtually, eliminating the need to travel long distances or face bureaucratic bottlenecks.
Justice Denied for Years
Punjab has a massive Scheduled Caste population — nearly 80% of the total demographic in several districts — yet their complaints of discrimination, atrocities, and violations under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act have been languishing for years.
According to official data, the Commission currently has over 8,700 pending complaints, of which only 3,000 have been resolved. This means nearly 5,700 victims are still waiting for justice — many for several years.
Due to the Commission’s irregular meetings, held only once every three months, files have been collecting dust while complainants continue to face harassment, social exclusion, and administrative neglect.
Virtual Court to End Delays and Red Tape
Now, under the leadership of Chairman Jasvir Singh Garhi, the Commission has decided to take matters into its own hands. The SC Commission’s Court will have the power to conduct real-time virtual hearings, allowing complainants, witnesses, and officials to appear digitally from anywhere in Punjab.
“This initiative will save victims’ time, money, and dignity,” said Garhi. “For too long, the poor and marginalized have been forced to run from pillar to post just to have their voice heard. That era ends now.”
Crackdown on Administrative Negligence
In addition to launching the virtual court, the Commission has appointed nodal officers across the state to ensure strict enforcement of the SC/ST Act and faster coordination between the Commission and law enforcement agencies.
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SP-level officers have been designated in every district to personally oversee atrocity-related cases.
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At the state level, DIG Naveen Saini and AIG Surinderjit Kaur will function as key nodal officers.
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Special DGP Naresh Arora, in close coordination with Chairman Garhi, will monitor overall compliance and accountability.
This high-level monitoring framework is aimed at breaking the long-standing nexus of negligence, apathy, and corruption that has often allowed caste-based injustices to go unpunished.
A Message to the System
The establishment of this court sends a strong message to the administration and law enforcement agencies — that delays will no longer be tolerated, and every pending complaint will be tracked, heard, and resolved.
Legal experts and activists have hailed the move as a milestone in the empowerment of Punjab’s SC communities, calling it a wake-up call for departments that have failed to act promptly on caste-based grievances.
The SC Commission’s court, once operational, will not only digitize justice delivery but also bring unprecedented transparency and accountability to the system — ensuring that no voice from the marginalized goes unheard again.
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