The Allahabad High Court, condemning the misuse of the SC/ST Act, ordered a Rs 4.5 lakh refund from the complainant and imposed a Rs 5 lakh fine on the accused for manipulating the judicial process and defrauding the State.
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UTTAR PRADESH: The Allahabad High Court on November 6, 2025, criticized both the complainant and the accused in a case filed under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, terming their conduct a “gross abuse of the law” and an “apparent fraud on the State.”
Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav, while dismissing Criminal Appeal No. 9649 of 2024, directed the complainant, Smt. Ram Kali and her two daughters-in-law to refund ₹4.5 lakh in government compensation and imposed a ₹5 lakh cost on the 19 appellants for attempting to manipulate the judicial process.
Case Background
The appeal, filed by Rameshwar Singh @ Rameshwar Pratap Singh and 18 others, challenged the summoning order dated July 1, 2024, passed by the Special Judge (SC/ST Act), Prayagraj, in Special Sessions Trial No. 174 of 2024.
The case originated from Case Crime No. 0116 of 2021, registered under Sections 147, 148, 149, 323, 504, 506, 452, and 354(kha) of the IPC, along with Section 3(2)(va) of the SC/ST Act.
Court Proceedings
During the hearing on November 4, 2025, counsel for the appellants claimed that the FIR was fabricated, alleging that Ram Kali’s thumb impression had been taken on a blank sheet of paper. The court took this allegation seriously and summoned the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Yamunapar), the Investigating Officer, and Ram Kali to appear in person.
When produced before the Court, Ram Kali admitted that her thumb impression had indeed been taken on blank paper. However, the State’s counsel, Mr. Patanjali Mishra, contradicted this claim, confirming that the FIR was duly lodged on April 16, 2021, based on a written complaint by Ram Kali.
The State also submitted that:
- Statements under Sections 161 and 164 Cr.P.C. were recorded from Ram Kali and her two daughters-in-law, Smt. Kavita and Smt. Savita.
- All three women supported the prosecution’s version.
- Each had received ₹1.5 lakh in compensation, totaling ₹4.5 lakh, under the SC/ST victim compensation scheme.
High Court’s Observations
Justice Yadav expressed serious concern over the complainant’s contradictory stance, observing:
“Such conduct prima facie reflects a serious abuse of the process of law and a gross misuse of the benevolent provisions of the SC/ST Act.”
The Court noted that the victims had received public funds meant for genuine atrocity victims and later denied having filed the complaint, a clear attempt to manipulate the criminal justice system.
The Allahabad High Court issued the following directions:
- Refund of ₹4.5 Lakh:
The complainant Smt. Ram Kali and her daughters-in-law were jointly and severally directed to refund ₹4,50,000 to the competent government authority forthwith. - ₹5 Lakh Cost Imposed on Appellants:
The appellants were ordered to deposit ₹5,00,000 with the High Court Welfare Fund within 20 days. In case of non-payment, the Registrar General was directed to initiate coercive recovery proceedings. - Trial to Continue Uninfluenced:
The Special Judge (SC/ST Act), Prayagraj, was instructed to proceed strictly as per law, uninfluenced by the complainant’s retraction or the High Court’s remarks.
After these directions, the Court dispensed with the personal attendance of the DCP, Investigating Officer, and the complainant.
Appearance:
Appellant: Anshu Pandey, Sachin Mishra, Advocates
Respondent: Dinesh Chandra Tripathi, Government Advocate
Case Title:
Rameshwar Singh @ Rameshwar Pratap Singh And 18 Others Versus State of U.P. and Another
CRIMINAL APPEAL No. – 9649 of 2024
READ ORDER
