Prayagraj: In a significant ruling aimed at curbing the misuse of the SC-ST Act, the Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to develop a comprehensive monitoring system to oversee the filing of cases under the Act. The court has expressed serious concerns over the increasing instances of the Act being misused for financial gain, undermining the very purpose of social justice.
The court, led by Justice Manju Rani Chauhan, issued this directive while hearing petitions related to the misuse of the SC-ST (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Act. The court stated that until the monitoring mechanism is established, a verification process of the incident and the allegations must be conducted before filing an FIR. This interim measure aims to prevent wrongful accusations and ensure that genuine victims receive the protection and compensation intended by the law.
The case that prompted this ruling involved petitions filed by Bihari and two others, concerning a false complaint under the SC-ST Act. The incident took place at Kaila Devi police station in Sambhal district, where a case was registered, followed by a government-approved compensation of Rs 75,000 to the alleged victim. However, after both parties reached a settlement, a petition was filed to cancel the criminal case.
The court, while acknowledging the settlement, ordered the complainant to return the Rs 75,000 compensation and directed the District Social Welfare Officer to deposit the amount back with the District Magistrate. Additionally, the court ruled that the remaining Rs 25,000 of the Rs 100,000 compensation should not be paid.
Referring to a Supreme Court judgment, the court emphasized that both cognizable and non-cognizable offenses can be settled through mutual agreements between parties. Justice Chauhan stated that such settlements, when based on truth and fairness, should be respected to ensure justice for both parties involved.
A crucial aspect of the court’s order was its directive to punish those filing false complaints under sections 182 and 214 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). These sections deal with providing false information to a public servant and corrupt practices, respectively. The court remarked that false cases undermine the integrity of the judicial system and erode public trust. Justice Chauhan observed that the misuse of laws intended for social justice not only harms individuals but also casts doubt on the effectiveness of the entire legal framework.
“False complaints for financial gain are eroding the trust people have in the justice system. There must be severe consequences for those who misuse the law to obtain wrongful compensation,” said Justice Chauhan.
Recognizing the need for a systemic solution to prevent the misuse of the SC-ST Act, the High Court has instructed the UP government to develop a monitoring system that would scrutinize complaints before an FIR is lodged. This system would ensure that only genuine cases move forward, protecting the rights of real victims while preventing the exploitation of the law.
The court also ordered that a copy of its directive be sent to all District Judges and the Director General of Police (DGP) for immediate implementation across the state.
In her concluding remarks, Justice Manju Rani Chauhan highlighted the importance of balancing social justice with safeguarding the judicial process from exploitation. She noted that the SC-ST Act plays a vital role in protecting marginalized communities, but its misuse harms both the judiciary and the people it seeks to protect.
“Laws designed to promote social justice must be used responsibly, or they risk losing the trust and support of the people,” Justice Chauhan said.
