New Delhi [India], Mar 29 (NT): Union Minister of Law Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday confirmed that his ministry is to file a review petition on the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989 (SC/ST Act) in the Supreme Court as reported by ANI.

Addressing to media, Prasad said they have taken note of the directives of the Supreme Court and will soon do the needful.

"The government has taken note of judgment of the Supreme Court about laying doing new norms as per SC/ST operation is concerned. I have already instructed the Ministry of Law over the desirability of filling a review and appropriate follow-up action," Prasad said.

The opposition has been pressing the Centre to file a review petition against the recent Apex court verdict that diluted the provisions for immediate arrest under the SC/ST Act.

On March 20, the apex court, in a bid to check exploitation of the SC/ST Act, ordered that preliminary enquiry in a case under the Atrocities Act would be done by the DSP to ensure the allegations are not giddy, and to steer clear of the false implication of an innocent.

The court also held that a government official cannot be prosecuted on a plain allegation of committing an offence under the Act without the approval of the appointing authority. (NT)