Prayagraj: In a significant and strongly worded ruling, the Allahabad High Court has sent out a clear message against the misuse of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, observing that the law is meant to deliver justice to genuine victims and cannot be allowed to become a weapon for harassment or personal vendetta.
The High Court ruled that individuals who knowingly file false FIRs or give false evidence under the SC/ST Act will face serious legal consequences. The court directed that criminal proceedings be initiated against such persons under relevant provisions, including Section 344 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and Section 193 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which deal with false evidence and perjury.
The court further stated that heavy fines may be imposed on those found guilty of filing false complaints. Importantly, the fine amount can be awarded as compensation to the person who was falsely implicated, acknowledging the mental trauma, social stigma, and legal hardship faced by innocent individuals.
Taking a stern view of government assistance availed in such cases, the High Court clarified that if an FIR under the SC/ST Act is found to be false during investigation, any government aid or benefits obtained by the complainant on the basis of that case will be recovered.
During the hearing, the court noted with concern that several cases under the SC/ST Act were being filed due to personal enmity, land disputes, or monetary conflicts, rather than genuine instances of caste-based atrocities. The judge remarked that such misuse not only ruins the lives of innocent people but also wastes valuable judicial time, ultimately delaying justice for genuine victims who truly need the protection of the law.
