Delhi High Court imposes Rs 10,000 fine on Balbir Meena for misusing SC/ST Victim Compensation Scheme after settling the case. Court says such acts raise “grave doubts” and warns against future abuse of the law.
New Delhi: On July 19, the Delhi High Court recently imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on a man named Balbir Meena for misusing the Victim Compensation Scheme that comes under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, also known as the SC/ST Act.
This law was made to protect the rights and dignity of SC/ST communities, but in this case, the Court found that the scheme had been misused.
A Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela was hearing an appeal filed by Balbir Meena.
He was challenging a previous decision given by a Single Judge who had rejected his request for compensation under the SC/ST Act. The reason for the rejection was that the criminal case involving him and the accused had already been settled peacefully between both sides.
The Delhi government, representing the State, argued that since both parties had reached a mutual understanding and the First Information Report (FIR) was quashed, the appellant should not be allowed to claim further compensation.
The State also pointed out that this was not the first time the appellant had done this. They told the Court that back in 2014, for the same person, the appellant had already received Rs 2,40,000 under the compensation scheme.
After hearing both sides, the High Court agreed with the Single Judge’s decision. The Court expressed serious concern over the misuse of the SC/ST Victim Compensation Scheme by the appellant. The Court clearly stated:
“These instances raise grave doubts about the authenticity and veracity of the appellant’s version. In these circumstances, we are of the opinion that suitable costs ought to be imposed against the appellant so as to deter him and others from misusing and abusing the Victim Compensation Scheme formulated under the Act.”
Because of this misuse, the Court imposed a penalty of Rs 10,000 on Balbir Meena. He has been directed to deposit this amount within two weeks with the Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee.
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The order was passed on 14 July 2025, and the judgment reflects the Court’s firm stand against any kind of dishonesty in using schemes meant to help genuine victims of caste-based atrocities.
Case Title:
Balbir Meena vs. State Govt. of NCT of Delhi & Ors.
Read Judgement:
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