The Special Court for scheduled castes/scheduled tribes [SC/ST] (Prevention of Atrocities) Act cases at Mannarkkad, set up for the speedy disposal of SC/ST cases, is facing concerns that its core mandate could be diluted as it increasingly handles general criminal cases triable by sessions courts.Lawyers and former prosecutors fear that general criminal cases could push SC/ST cases to the background, defeating the purpose of an exclusive court. As of Monday, the court had 185 pending SC/ST cases and 155 pending IPC cases.The need for prompt trials in SC/ST cases was evident in the Madhu lynching case. Madhu, a tribal youth from Attappady, was killed in 2018. The trial began four years later and was completed in 13 months following High Court intervention. Legal experts say the case could have been delayed further otherwise.Though Mannarkkad is adjacent to tribal hills of Attappady, it remains distant for SC and ST litigants from other parts of Palakkad district, including Parambikulam, Muthalamada and Vadakkenchery.The munsiff-magistrate court set up in Attappady in January 2024 after decades of demand has addressed only part of the issue. It can try offences punishable with up to three years’ imprisonment. More serious offences and SC/ST cases continue to be heard at Mannarkkad.To improve access to justice, Mannarkkad Bar Association president Boby Jacob and former deputy director of prosecutions P. Premnath have proposed periodic camp sittings of the sessions court and the SC/ST special court in Attappady.Mr. Premnath said the SC/ST special court should remain exclusive to SC/ST cases and should not handle general criminal cases. An additional district and sessions court at Mannarkkad could address the issue, he said.There are six fast track sessions courts in Palakkad district, including four at Palakkad court complex and one each at Alathur and Pattambi. An additional sessions court at Mannarkkad would preserve the exclusive character of the SC/ST court, Mr. Premnath said.Former prosecutor P. Jayan said there was scope for an additional court at Mannarkkad, but it would require major expenditure.According to Mr. Jacob, an additional sessions court may not be feasible now. The SC/ST special court does not have significant pendency, he said.“But the immediate need is the separation of the munsiff and magistrate courts at Mannarkkad,” said Mr. Jacob.A new court complex is required for that. “The plan is before the High Court building committee and is awaiting approval,” Mr. Jacob said.Mr. Jacob also called for a dedicated court to handle narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances (NDPS) cases in Mannarkkad or Attappady, citing the high number of cases in the region. “The Attappady hills share an open border with Tamil Nadu, enabling the movement of drugs. NDPS cases here are high,” he said. Palakkad’s only NDPS court is in Pattambi, on the district’s western edge.Legal observers maintain that the SC/ST special court should retain its exclusive focus to ensure timely justice for SC and ST communities. Published - June 03, 2026 06:25 pm IST