The Supreme Court of India held that caste-based abuses inside a private residence, away from public view, would not attract offences under the SC/ST Act, ruling that alleged insults under Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s) must occur at “a place within public view.”
Social worker Vignyan Mane filed a case in Sangli, Maharashtra, accusing music composer and filmmaker Palash Muchhal of cheating and committing offences under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Mane, a friend of Smriti Mandhana, submitted a complaint.
A major controversy erupted in Hardoi after an FIR under the SC/ST Act and Section 352 BNS was filed against the Sunbeam School principal, who allegedly told a Scheduled Caste woman “Just shut up”, causing humiliation and mental harassment.
The Allahabad High Court directed the Lucknow Nagar Nigam to begin legal action for removing 72 illegal encroachments near the District and Sessions Court. These structures included advocate chambers and small shops surrounding the old High Court premises.
The Allahabad High Court held that simply referring to a person’s profession does not amount to an offence under the SC/ST Act unless there is clear intent to humiliate on the basis of caste. The Court quashed SC/ST charges in a wage dispute case but allowed IPC offences to continue.
The Supreme Court dismissed a plea challenging the Telangana High Court’s decision to quash a 2016 FIR against CM Revanth Reddy under the SC/ST Act and IPC. The bench said the High Court had “minutely considered the facts” and found no prima facie case.
The Supreme Court held that merely mentioning a caste name without intent to insult does not attract the SC/ST Act. It said allegations must show caste-based abuses or that the caste name was hurled as an abuse, in fact.
The Allahabad High Court has sought an explanation from a Trial Judge in Aligarh for summoning an accused under a non-existent provision of the SC/ST Act, highlighting a potential violation of the fundamental right to personal liberty under Article 21, pointing casual exercise of judicial power.
The Supreme Court has granted interim protection from arrest to a man accused of assaulting and molesting a woman on a Delhi flyover in a case involving serious allegations under the SC/ST Act, while directing him to cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
Advocate Anil Mishra and three others, accused of burning Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s picture in Gwalior, faced the Madhya Pradesh High Court, which adjourned their bail hearing and summoned the case diary, while the government sought more time.
