Latest news with #ScheduledCastesandScheduledTribesAct
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
SC criticises Allahabad HC for ignoring settled law on sentence suspension
New Delhi, The Supreme Court has once again expressed its displeasure with an order of the Allahabad High Court for failing to apply settled legal principles while rejecting a plea for suspension of sentence in a fixed-term conviction. SC criticises Allahabad HC for ignoring settled law on sentence suspension The observations from the top court came days after it pulled up an Allahabad High Court judge for allowing criminal proceedings in a civil dispute case. In an unprecedented order, a bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan on August 4 stripped criminal matters of the roster of a Allahabad High Court judge "till he demits office" after he "erroneously" upheld summons of criminal nature in a civil dispute. The same bench came hard on the high court decision in another case. "The impugned Order is one more from the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad with which we are disappointed," it said, adding that this plea arose from an order passed by the High Court on May 29, in a criminal appeal by which the high court declined to suspend the substantive order of sentence passed by the trial court. "We are once again constrained to observe that such errors creep in at the level of the High Court and only because the wellsettled principles of law on the subject are not applied correctly. "It is very important to first look into the subject-matter. Thereafter the court should look into the issue involved. In the last the court should look into the plea of the litigant and then proceed to apply the correct principles of law," Justice Pardiwala said in an order on August 6. The apex court observed that the High Court's order was legally flawed and demonstrated a disregard for established jurisprudence. It was hearing an appeal filed by a convict who had been sentenced to four years of rigorous imprisonment under various provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, Indian Penal Code , and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Act, 1989. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently. The convict had approached the high court with an application under Section 389 of the Criminal Procedure Code, seeking suspension of his sentence. However, the high court rejected the plea solely on the ground that the offence was "heinous", without evaluating the request in light of the settled law. Setting aside the high court's order, bench cited a landmark judgment which mandates that appellate courts should adopt a liberal approach in suspending fixed-term sentences unless exceptional circumstances exist. Emphasizing the need for judicial clarity, the bench said, "It is very important to first look into the subject matter. Thereafter, the court should examine the issues involved, and only then consider the plea of the litigant before applying the correct principles of law." The apex court took particular issue with the high court's failure to analyze the application on legal grounds. "What the high court did was to reiterate the prosecution's case and the oral evidence, without engaging with the legal test for suspension of sentence in a fixed-term conviction," the bench observed. It has now remanded the matter back to the high court for fresh consideration, directing it to pass an appropriate order within 15 days. "The High Court shall keep in mind that the sentence is for a fixed term, that is four years and it is only if there are compelling circumstances indicating that release would not be in public interest, that suspension may be denied," the order clarified. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Over 6.3 lakh calls received on National Helpline Against Atrocities on SCs, STs since 2020: Govt
New Delhi, The National Helpline Against Atrocities , set up to address complaints of atrocities against SCs and STs, has received over 6.34 lakh calls since its inception, according to government data shared on Wednesday. Over 6.3 lakh calls received on National Helpline Against Atrocities on SCs, STs since 2020: Govt Responding to a written question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale said the toll-free helpline , operational since 2020, aims to provide grievance redressal and raise awareness about legal provisions for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes . The highest number of calls, at over 3.4 lakh, were received in 2023. Uttar Pradesh accounted for the lion's share of complaints with more than 3.4 lakh calls between 2020 and July 2025, followed by Bihar and Rajasthan . Delhi also recorded a high number of calls at over 29,000. The helpline received 6,34,066 calls across states and Union Territories up to July 31. The data revealed a significant increase in usage over the years, with just over 6,000 calls in 2020 and more than 1.05 lakh in 2024. Out of 7,661 categorised complaints registered on the portal, around 5,202 have been resolved, while 1,962 remain pending. These complaints include chargesheeted cases, demands for relief and those filed either by complainants or helpline call agents. UP also leads in categorised complaints with 1,981 cases, of which 1,615 have been resolved. Madhya Pradesh follows with 1,727 categorised complaints, and Rajasthan recorded 795 such cases. Asked how the government classifies a complaint as an atrocity, Athawale stated that offences are determined based on the provisions of two central laws the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955, which penalises acts of untouchability; and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Act, 1989. The minister clarified that complaints are considered atrocities if they fall under the offences defined in these Acts and the accompanying rules. The NHAA initiative is part of the government's broader effort to ensure the protection and empowerment of marginalised communities through timely intervention and awareness-building. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Hindustan Times
29-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
SC issues contempt notice over scurrilous allegations against Telangana HC judge
New Delhi, The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued contempt notices to a litigant and his lawyers for making "scurrilous allegations" against a sitting judge of the Telangana High Court in their plea. SC issues contempt notice over scurrilous allegations against Telangana HC judge The top court, while issuing the show cause notices to the petitioner and his lawyers, refused to allow withdrawal of the petition, and said, 'We cannot permit judges to be out in a box and allow any litigant to make such allegations against a judge. Here we were trying to protect lawyers.' A bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran was hearing a transfer plea filed by petitioner N Peddi Raju filed through advocate-on-record Ritesh Patil. The petition involved a case in which Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had received relief from a high court in a matter under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Act. 'Here we were trying to protect lawyers, but this kind of conduct cannot be condoned,' the bench, which earlier heard another suo motu case pertaining to summoning of lawyers by the ED for rendering legal advice, said. 'Scurrilous allegations have been made against the sitting judge of Telangana High Court. It has been held that it is not only a litigant but also a lawyer who signs is guilty of contempt of court. 'We thus issue notice to Peddi Raju as well as the lawyers … and the AoR. They are directed to state why contempt should not be initiated against them. Notice returnable on August 11,' the CJI said. A counsel sought the liberty to withdraw the remarks after the court expressed strong displeasure. However, the bench dismissed the request. 'File apology …we will see whether to consider or not. We will see the apology is genuine or not. When we expressed displeasure at the language, liberty was sought to withdraw. We dismissed the request,' the bench said. The case stems from the Telangana High Court's decision to quash a criminal case registered against the chief minister under the SC/ST Act. The petitioner later approached the top court with a transfer plea, alleging bias and impropriety on the part of the high court judge. Senior advocate Sidharth Luthra appeared on behalf of the chief minister. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Hindustan Times
12-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Four cops, revenue officer suspended for 'putting pressure' on person to withdraw PIL: Officials
Jaunpur , Four police personnel, including a station house officer, and a revenue officer have been suspended in connection with allegations of exerting pressure on a person to withdraw his PIL filed in the Allahabad High Court in a land dispute, a police official said on Saturday. Four cops, revenue officer suspended for 'putting pressure' on person to withdraw PIL: Officials On the instructions of the High Court, Superintendent of Police Dr Kaustubh had investigated the case, they said. Petitioner Gauri Shankar Saroj, a resident of Baragaon here, had filed a PIL regarding a land issue. The lekhpal and two constables allegedly exerted pressure on him to withdraw the petition. The petitioner appealed to the High Court on this matter, following which it ordered the SP to investigate. Superintendent of Police Kaustubh said that SHO of Mungrabadshahpur police station Dilip Kumar Singh, sub-inspector Indradev Singh and two constables, Pankaj Maurya and Nitesh Kumar Gaur, were suspended late on Friday night. Lekhpal Vijay Shankar was suspended by the Sub-divisional magistrate of Machhlishahr. A case was registered against two police personnel, the lekhpal and the petitioner's opponent Shivgovind, who was allegedly involved with the police in this case, in Mungra Badshahpur police station under sections 61 , 352 and 351 of BNS, Prevention of Corruption Act and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Act. This action has been taken on the instructions of the High Court, the police said. Vishnukant Tiwari, the advocate of Gauri Shankar Saroj, in an affidavit submitted to the court on July 8 had said that Saroj was threatened by the lekhpal and two constables. The constables took him some distance away on the pretext of taking him to the police station in a vehicle and left him after taking ₹2,000. On complaining to higher officials, the SHO Dilip Kumar Singh called the petitioner and put undue pressure on him, he alleged. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Time of India
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Bihar SC Commission serves notice to Lalu Prasad for allegedly disrespecting Ambedkar
The Bihar State Commission for Scheduled Castes has issued a notice to Lalu Prasad, alleging disrespect towards Babasaheb Ambedkar during his birthday celebration. The commission demands a response within 15 days, warning of potential legal action under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Act. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The Bihar State Commission for Scheduled Castes has issued a notice to RJD president Lalu Prasad for allegedly disrespecting Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar The Commission has given the former chief minister 15 days to respond, warning that failure to do so could lead to legal to PTI, Bihar SC Commission vice-chairman Devendra Kumar said a notice was issued to Lalu Prasad seeking an explanation over the alleged incident."The Commission has given Prasad 15 days to respond and warned that failure to do so could result in action under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act," he controversy erupted after a video, purportedly recorded during Lalu Prasad's 78th birthday celebrations earlier this week, went the clip, the ailing leader is seen seated on a couch with his feet on a nearby sofa. A supporter then enters the room carrying a portrait of Dr. Ambedkar and places it near Prasad's feet before greeting him. The act drew sharp criticism from political Saturday, the BJP accused the RJD chief of insulting the Dalit a press conference, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister, a former state BJP president, played the video, demanding Sunday, saffron party workers staged a protest and burnt an effigy of Prasad at Income Tax Golumber to the notice, Tejashwi Yadav , leader of the opposition in Bihar Assembly and Lalu Prasad's son, dismissed the move as politically motivated."There have been so many cases of atrocities against Dalits that the Commission has ignored. But since we oppose the BJP, we are being subjected to intimidatory tactics," he further mocked the Commission's process, claiming that a copy of the notice had not yet been officially received."The draft that's doing the rounds contains multiple grammatical errors. We've also learned that the letter has been withdrawn twice for corrections. We'll respond appropriately once the Commission finishes drafting and formally dispatches it," he also took aim at the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government, accusing it of using state commissions as platforms for political favoritism ahead of the upcoming assembly elections."In the recently formed commissions, relatives of top NDA leaders-including from JD(U)-have been appointed. Several competent individuals across Bihar were overlooked," he further claimed that wives of retired bureaucrats close to the Chief Minister had been accommodated in these commissions, and that children of such officials had set up consultancy firms now working with various government departments."Frankly speaking, the unconscious Chief Minister and his NDA allies have created what I would call a 'Jamai Commission' in Bihar-where sons-in-law, relatives, and children of alliance leaders are being handed posts," Tejashwi said.
