The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 is an Indian law that aims to prevent the commission of offenses of atrocities against the members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, to provide for Special Courts for the trial of such offenses, and for the relief and rehabilitation of the victims of such offenses. The Act defines an atrocity as an offense punishable under Section 3 of the Act_Act,_1989). The Act provides for stringent measures to provide higher punishment for committing such atrocities_Act,_1989). The Act also mandates that both the superintendent of police and the district magistrate must visit the spot and conduct a preliminary inquiry to assess the loss of life and property, and identify the victims and their dependents entitled to relief_Act,_1989). The Act protects the marginalized from social disabilities such as denial of access to certain places and to use customary passage, personal atrocities like forceful drinking or eating of inedible food, sexual exploitation, injury, etc., atrocities affecting properties, malicious prosecution, political disabilities, and economic exploitation. The Act was enacted on September 9, 1989, and the rules for the Act were notified on March 31, 1995.