The Madhya Pradesh High Court, led by Justice Achal Kumar Paliwal, granted anticipatory bail to a man accused of raping a teacher under the guise of marriage, citing a lack of prima facie evidence and a long-standing relationship. The court highlighted delays in filing the FIR and the prosecutrix’s background as significant factors.
The Telangana High Court quashed an FIR against two Civil Judges accused under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, citing it as a retaliatory move filed after their colleagues were removed from service following disciplinary proceedings. The FIR, registered two years after the disciplinary action, was deemed an abuse of legal process, as the Court found it to be a “counter blast” to the petitioners’ original complaint. This decision highlights the importance of preventing misuse of legal provisions for personal retaliation.
The Allahabad High Court instructed the Uttar Pradesh government to address the relocation request of the Hathras rape victim’s family for their safety. The court emphasized the urgency following delays since February 2024 and required a prompt response from the District Magistrate, with compliance to be assessed by January 2025.
The Supreme Court has directed the Telangana government to respond to Senior Advocate Vedula Venkataraman’s petition challenging accusations of taking Rs 7 crores to bribe judges. Venkataraman argues the FIR has no prima facie evidence and is based on vague allegations. He previously sought to quash the case, which was dismissed by the Telangana High Court.
The Bombay High Court Yesterday (Nov 29) upheld the closure of a case against a woman who had been booked under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (SC/ST Act) on allegations that she had sent casteist messages to her ex-boyfriend while ending a romantic relationship.
The Rajasthan High Court, led by Justice Birendra Kumar, dismissed SC/ST Act charges against four men for using terms deemed non-caste specific during a land inspection incident. The court found insufficient evidence of caste-based insults, although it upheld other charges under the IPC related to obstructing public servants.
The Supreme Court temporarily stayed the investigation into an FIR against a man who called Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge “ayogya” (incompetent). This follows a challenge to the Karnataka High Court’s ruling, which upheld charges under specific IPC sections for inciting violence and promoting enmity, while dismissing those under the SC/ST Act.
The Allahabad High Court dismissed a plea against Swami Rambhadracharya for alleged remarks about Scheduled Castes and Tribes. The court found no offense under relevant laws, agreeing with the special judge’s justifications. The petitioner’s appeal was rejected after thorough legal examination, affirming the previous dismissal from February 2024.
The Delhi High Court, under Justice Vikas Mahajan, ruled that video recording of all proceedings, including bail hearings, is mandatory under the SC/ST Act, without exceptions for sexual crimes. The court emphasized that these recordings must be used only for court purposes, ensuring the privacy and protection of victims’ identities.
The Karnataka High Court denied bail to accused Rafiq, who allegedly kidnapped, assaulted, and coerced a woman from a Scheduled Caste community into converting to Islam. Justice S Rachaiah emphasized the seriousness of the crime and its societal impact, highlighting the judiciary’s role in combating forced conversions and protecting vulnerable individuals.