Hardoi: In a significant ruling, an Additional District and Sessions Court in Hardoi has discharged a retired Indian Air Force officer from all charges in a case registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and other serious criminal provisions. The court not only found the evidence against the accused insufficient but also made strong observations regarding the manner in which the investigation was conducted, describing it as superficial, one-sided and influenced by external pressure.
The case stemmed from a FIR lodged on July 22, 2024, by Dr. Ravikant Sharma, who was serving as the Superintendent of the Bilgram Community Health Centre (CHC) at the time. In his complaint, Dr. Sharma alleged that Umesh Kumar Trivedi, a resident of Bargaon village, had obstructed a government servant in the discharge of official duties, assaulted him and made caste-based remarks. Based on the complaint, the police registered a case under the SC/ST Act along with several other sections of law.
During the proceedings before the court, Trivedi sought discharge from the charges, asserting that he had been falsely implicated. He informed the court that he was a retired Junior Warrant Officer of the Indian Air Force and had visited the Bilgram CHC to receive a tetanus injection after suffering an injury to his thumb. According to his defence, medical staff failed to provide the required treatment and subsequently implicated him in a false criminal case.
After examining the case diary and related records, Additional District Judge (SC/ST Act) Gyanendra Tripathi found several shortcomings in the investigation. The court observed that available records indicated that the complainant and the accused were not previously acquainted with one another. It further noted that the investigating officer had failed to determine the circumstances in which the alleged caste-based remarks were made or the basis on which such allegations had been levelled.
The court also pointed out that the complainant’s caste could not reasonably be presumed solely from his surname, “Sharma,” and criticised investigators for failing to examine this important aspect. According to the order, such omissions weakened the foundation of the allegations made under the SC/ST Act.
Questions were also raised regarding the medical evidence presented in the case. The court noted that the medical examination of the complainant was conducted approximately two hours after the alleged incident by Dr. Liaqat Ali, who was connected to the other side of the dispute. The judge observed that such an arrangement was contrary to the principles of natural justice and cast doubt on the impartiality and reliability of the medical report.
Referring to entries in the case diary, the court stated that investigators had documented dissatisfaction among medical associations and the possibility of protests or demonstrations. However, it found no substantial evidence to justify the accused’s arrest or indicate that he had failed to cooperate with the investigation. The order suggested that pressure from medical organisations may have influenced the course of the investigation, resulting in the neglect of key facts.
Emphasising the importance of safeguarding the integrity of special legislation, the court remarked that the misuse of laws designed to protect vulnerable communities was condemnable because it could undermine the interests of genuine victims seeking justice.
Concluding that there was no sufficient and reliable evidence to support the charges, the court discharged Umesh Kumar Trivedi from all allegations. It also directed that if any compensation had been paid to Dr. Ravikant Sharma under provisions relating to atrocities against Scheduled Castes, the amount should be recovered from his salary along with applicable interest. Additionally, the court ordered that a copy of its adverse observations be placed in the service record of the then Circle Officer, Sunil Kumar Sharma.
