Allahabad High Court Condemns SC/ST Act Abuse
The Allahabad High Court issued a strict order addressing a case under the SC/ST Act, 1989, involving three victims and nineteen accused individuals. The court identified a serious abuse of the legal process and a gross misuse of the Act's protective provisions.
Case Details and Court Ruling
A bench led by Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav dismissed a criminal appeal filed by the nineteen accused under Section 14-A (1) of the SC/ST Act. The alleged victims—a Dalit woman and her two daughters-in-law—were instructed to return the entire compensation amounting to ₹4.5 lakh that they had received from the State Government.
Simultaneously, the court imposed a fine of ₹5 lakh on the accused for manipulating the victim and attempting to obstruct justice.
Arguments Presented in Court
- On November 4, 2025, the appellants’ counsel claimed the FIR was lodged based on the complainant’s thumb impression.
- This claim was strongly refuted by the complainant's counsel, who stated no such FIR was filed by the victim.
Court's Observations
The complainant is a woman from the SC community, and the Court expressed concern that the accused might have pressured her unduly.
Author's Summary
This ruling highlights the judiciary's firm stance against the misuse of protective laws, emphasizing accountability while safeguarding victims from coercion.