Rajasthan High Court: Rajasthan High Court has given a big decision in a case of SC/ST Act. The court clearly said that merely calling a person a derogatory word like ‘neech’ does not automatically make the SC/ST Act applicable. This act is applicable for insult on the basis of caste. The court said that in a dispute between two people, calling someone vile cannot be considered a caste insult. Under this, the court has rejected the SC/ST Act imposed on the accused.
Actually, the court has given its verdict regarding the case. That year is 2011. Where some people called a government official ‘vile’ during the investigation of encroachment in IIT Jodhpur. The officials considered it a caste insult and filed a case under the SC-ST Act. All the people who were made accused in this case were opposing the removal of encroachment. When protested, the dispute escalated to words like bad and ‘neech’.
What was said in the petition filed by the accused?
When this matter reached the High Court, it was argued on behalf of the accused that they had no knowledge about anyone’s caste. There was a minor altercation and these words do not indicate caste. Therefore it cannot be considered a caste insult. Apart from this, there was no independent witness present at the spot. Considering this, the High Court has given its verdict.
Solid evidence necessary to impose SC-ST Act
While hearing the matter, the High Court said, the words used during the dispute do not indicate any particular caste nor is there any such evidence. No concrete evidence has been found that the accused already knew about the caste of the officers. To impose SC-ST Act, it is necessary to have solid evidence. The High Court has quashed the charges of SC-ST during the hearing, but the case of obstructing government work and scuffling with officials will continue.
