High Court Concerned About Misuse of SC/ST Act

 

The Allahabad High Court has expressed concern over the misuse of the SC/ST Act, which was created to protect weaker sections of society from exploitation, being used for personal financial gain. The court has directed the state government to improve the investigation process. It stated that until proper mechanisms are in place, the accusations and events should be verified before registering a First Information Report (FIR). Only genuine victims should receive protection and compensation.

The court also mentioned that individuals filing false complaints to gain compensation should be prosecuted under sections 182 and 214 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

This order was passed by Justice Manju Rani Chauhan in a case where a petition had been filed to dismiss the charges under the SC/ST Act. Both parties had reached a settlement, and the ₹75,000 compensation paid by the government was returned. Based on the settlement, the charges under the SC/ST Act were dismissed by the trial court.

The case originated from a complaint lodged at the Kela Devi police station, where an FIR was filed under the SC/ST Act. Following this, the police submitted a chargesheet, and the government paid ₹75,000 in compensation to the victim.

The court emphasized that false complaints undermine the purpose of the law meant to provide social justice. Such misuse raises doubts about the justice system and public welfare. To address this, the court stressed the need to train police and judicial officers in handling SC/ST Act cases with due diligence.

Key Points:

• Action will be taken against those who file false complaints to claim compensation.
• Events must be verified before an FIR is registered.
• Both parties in this case settled, and the government’s compensation was returned.

The High Court stated that social justice laws should not be exploited for financial gain, as it erodes public trust in the legal system.