Latest news with #ScheduledCaste
NDTV
3 hours ago
- NDTV
Pulling Woman's Hand Not Offence If Criminal Intent Not Proven: High Court
Chennai: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has acquitted a man convicted in 2018 for allegedly molesting a mentally challenged woman, holding that merely pulling a woman's hand - without clear proof of intent - does not automatically constitute the offence. Justice RN Manjula made the observation while allowing the appeal of Murugesan, who had been sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment by a lower court under Section 354 IPC. The prosecution alleged that on May 4, 2015, the accused, from the Hindu Maravar community, pulled the hand of a Scheduled Caste woman grazing cattle near Nedunkulam Channel and abused her by her caste. The trial court had acquitted him under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act but convicted him for outraging modesty. On appeal, the High Court pointed to contradictions in witness accounts and the inability of the victim to testify due to her mental condition. The key eyewitness gave inconsistent statements, sometimes claiming she saw the incident, and at other times admitting she arrived after the accused had left. Citing Supreme Court precedents, Justice Manjula said that to attract Section 354 IPC, the act must be accompanied by the intention to outrage modesty, proven through clear and credible evidence. Pulling a woman's hand could shock the sense of decency, the court noted, but without proof of intent, vague or generalised statements cannot sustain a conviction. The court extended the benefit of doubt to Murugesan, overturned the conviction, and ordered the refund of any fine paid.
Time of India
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Punjab and Haryana high court clarifies powers of Scheduled Castes commission in FIR registration
Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana high court has made it clear that the Punjab State Commission for Scheduled Castes cannot directly order the registration of an FIR in criminal matters. The court reaffirmed that while the commission plays a vital role in safeguarding Scheduled Caste rights, its powers are recommendatory, not coercive. "The commission is not bestowed with any power to issue any directions in the nature of temporary or permanent injunction, rather its power is purely recommendatory in word recommendation necessarily means 'to suggest' and such suggestion cannot be treated to be a decision capable of execution or enforcement," the HC held. Justice Kuldeep Tiwari passed these orders while hearing a petition filed by Vijay Sharma, former president of MC Morinda, in which he sought directions to quash the FIR registered against him on the directions of the commission. In this case, acting on directions issued by the Punjab State Commission for Scheduled Castes, the Punjab police registered an FIR under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and other charges against the petitioner at police station Morinda, Rupnagar. During his tenure as president of MC Morinda, one post of ETT teacher was to be filled from a general category candidate. The petitioner was head of the selection committee. However, one Gurdhayan Singh approached the commission, complaining that the MC filled the post by depriving an SC candidate of the job, as the candidature of one SC candidate was rejected. The matter reached the commission on the complaint of one SC candidate. However, the police authorities in their report dated May 24, 2022, informed the commission that there was no violation of any provisions of the SC/ST Act and no action was needed in this case. However, the commission found the inquiry misleading and passed directions on May 31, 2022, to take action against the accused. In pursuance of the directions, the police registered an FIR against the petitioner and other officials of the MC Morinda. Aggrieved by the registration of the FIR, the petitioner and other officials of MC Morinda approached the HC. The commission, however, strongly defended its power to pass such orders before the HC. After examining the matter, the HC observed that the commission acted beyond its jurisdiction. "The commission has exceeded its jurisdiction while issuing the impugned directions. The directions of the commission for initiation of appropriate action against the accused could, at best, be considered only as a recommendation or information by the commission of a cognizable offence," the HC observed in its detailed order. With regard to the already registered FIR in this case, the HC refrained from quashing the FIR. "Needless to say, the investigating officer shall complete the investigation of the FIR in question strictly in accordance with the law. The commission does not have any jurisdiction to interfere with the ongoing investigation. As already explained above, the commission can only make recommendations to the State, in case it finds any lapse in the investigation," observed the judge while disposing of the matter. MSID: 123238921 413 | Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Puratchi Bharatham stages protest in Vellore over Kavin's murder
VELLORE: Over 100 members of the Puratchi Bharatham party staged a protest in front of the District Collectorate on Friday, condemning the recent murder of 25-year-old Dalit youth and IT employee, Kavin Selvaganesh, allegedly over caste pride. The protest, led by district secretary Mekanathan, urged the Tamil Nadu government to enact a separate law to prevent honour killings, curb atrocities against Dalits, and ensure the safety of Scheduled Caste communities. Protesters raised slogans in support of these demands. Speaking to reporters, party state coordinator and advocate Saravanan reiterated the need for immediate legislative action to protect vulnerable communities from such caste-based violence. Kavin, a native of Arumugamangalam village in Thoothukudi district, was murdered in Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli, on July 27. Police said the assailant, S Surjith (23), was the younger brother of Kavin's girlfriend, Subashini. While Kavin belonged to the Scheduled Caste community, Subashini was from the Most Backward Classes. Police have arrested Surjith and his father, Saravanan, in connection with the murder. The case is currently under investigation by the CB-CID.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Tamil Nadu: Notice served to demolish ‘untouchability' wall raised by caste Hindus in Karur village
The Revenue Department has issued a notice directing caste Hindus belonging to the Thottia Naicker community at Muthuladampatti in Karur to remove within 15 days a wall they had built allegedly to prevent access to Scheduled Caste (Arunthathiyar) people. An uneasy calm has prevailed between members of the Scheduled Caste (SC) community and the caste Hindus, a dominant group, since the latter raised the wall measuring about 200 feet in length and 10 feet in height about three weeks ago. The SC community alleged that it was a 'wall of untouchability'. They claimed the wall was meant to deny the SC residents access to areas where caste Hindus live. The caste Hindus denied the allegation, and claimed they had built the wall to prevent anti-social activities by 'outsiders' under the influence of alcohol. Members of the dominant community reportedly blocked attempts by the Arunthathiyars to build a stage for organising programmes during the annual Sri Muthumariamman Temple festival, and a public toilet on poramboke land. According to sources, the notice issued by the Revenue Inspector of Vellianai to the Kothukarar (leader) of Thottia Naickers said the wall was constructed on a piece of poramboke land. It was an encroachment, and was built without obtaining permission. Hence, it should be demolished within 15 days. Otherwise, suitable action would be taken as per the law. Confirming the development, M. Mohamed Pysal, Revenue Divisional Officer, Karur, told The Hindu that the members of the Thottia Naicker community had been apprised of the situation. Since the wall was raised in a public space, they were asked to remove it on their own, he said. In a related development, the Thottia Naickers filed a civil suit before the District Munsif Court, seeking a permanent injunction restraining the Arunthathiyars from interfering in the peaceful possession and enjoyment of the land where the wall was raised. In the petition, M. Subburaj, Kothukarar, and three others, said they had been using the vacant site, situated at Sri Pattalamman and Sri Bagavathiamman Temple at Muthuladampatti, for a long time. Devotees would congregate in large numbers during the temple festivals. The vacant site and surrounding areas were holy places. However, the site was of late used to consume alcohol by anti-social elements. The wall was constructed to prevent the activities of them and to safeguard the residents, they contended
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
YSRCP leader beats up SC youth in Tirupati, booked
TIRUPATI; An assault on a Scheduled Caste (SC) youth in Tirupati has sparked a political storm, with allegations aimed at followers of former MLA Bhumana Karunakar Reddy. YSRCP supporter Anil Reddy has been booked for allegedly kidnapping and attacking the youth, Pawan, prompting a heated exchange between the ruling TDP and YSRCP on Thursday. Anil Reddy was booked under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. While Anil Reddy is being questioned, co-accused Jagadish Reddy and Dinesh Royal remain at large. Pawan's whereabouts are also unknown. Tirupati Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Bhakthavatsalam revealed that Pawan, son of Jayaraj from Pulicherla in Chittoor district, had rented motorbikes from SVP Bike Riders & Rentals, run by Anil and Jagga Reddy, but failed to return them or pay dues. He was found near the railway station, taken to Anil Reddy's office, and assaulted, the DSP said. A case was filed based on a complaint by Pawan's father. The police are also investigating how the lathi used in the attack was obtained. In response to the incident, Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha directed the Tirupati SP to take strict action. 'No one involved in disrupting peace and law & order in Tirupati will be spared,' she said. District in-charge and Revenue Minister Anagani Satya Prasad blamed the YSRCP for fostering rowdyism and alleged that the accused had taken shelter at Karunakar Reddy's residence before he was arrested. 'The public is rejecting such behaviour, as seen in Pulivendula,' the minister added, expressing concern over Pawan's health condition and whereabouts. Meanwhile, YSRCP leaders accused the police of targeting their supporters, claiming the viral video showed a JSP leader, not a YSRCP worker. They alleged that the police had booked YSRCP leader to implicate them in the incident.
