TOP LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS THIS WEEK [2nd- 8th Mar, 2026] | Delhi Excise Policy Scam; Sharbat Rooh Afza; India International Disputes Week; and more
A quick roundup to cover all the important legal developments and cases this week.
SC & ST Act
Gujarat High Court: Not every insult or intimidation amounts to an offence under SC ST Act
“From the allegations made in the complaint, the prosecution has not proved that the accused is guilty of an offence under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989”
Mere Reference to Caste Name Not an Offence Unless Used to Intentionally Insult or Humiliate: Bombay High Court Quashes FIR Against Marathi TV Channel Executives
No specific allegation was made that the petitioners, who were not members of a scheduled caste or scheduled tribe, had intentionally undertaken an act to insult, intimidate or humiliate the first informant, who is a member of the scheduled caste.
“It was not committed at a place within public view”: Rajasthan High Court sets aside 1994’s conviction for caste abuse
“The incident is averred to have transpired within close precincts, specifically within the four corners of the walls of the shop premises. This description denotes a spatially confined and enclosed environment, shielded from casual public access and observation.”
Bar on grant of anticipatory bail under S. 18 SC/ST Act not applicable when application filed under S. 482 of BNSS: Allahabad High Court
In the case at hand, two people met through jeevansathi.com and subsequently physical relations were formed on various occasions on the false pretext of marriage.
‘SC/ST Act cannot be invoked to preclude exercise of bank’s rights pertaining to mortgage’: Delhi High Court
The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes issued summons to MD and CEO of Axis Bank Ltd. to appear ‘in person’ in complaint regarding alleged commission of atrocities against Respondent 2.
Apprehension of delay in trial constitutes sufficient cause for filing condonation of delay: Bombay High Court
“In criminal jurisprudence, the right of speedy trial is recognised as a fundamental right and just because the accused had participated in the trial at one stage, at other stage he does not lose a right to ask for bail.”
Patna High Court: FIR noting ‘villagers assembled’ satisfies caste abuse taking place in public view
The victim after her marriage was being taunted for belonging to a particular community (Scheduled Caste).
High Court Weekly Roundup- September 2025 [Week 5] | Stories on EBC’s iconic ‘Coat-Pocket Constitution’; Shaadi.com CEO Anupam Mittal; Rs 100 bribe; and more
A quick legal roundup to cover important stories from all High Courts this week.
Anticipatory bail maintainable only before High Court in absence of prima facie case under SC/ST Act: Andhra Pradesh High Court
The prosecution had raised a preliminary objection regarding the maintainability of the petition contending that the Section 14-A(2) of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 puts an embargo on the High Court from hearing any anticipatory bail application.
Inside Karnataka HC’s order rejecting bail of a married man accused of sexually assaulting Scheduled Caste minor
“It is high time to send a strong signal to the society at large to be more vigilant on women and children belonging to weaker sections of the society.”
Supreme Court lays down 4-step process to determine veracity of quashment prayer raised by an accused under S. 482 CrPC
The Court stated that if the answer to all the steps is in the affirmative, then judicial conscience of the High Court should persuade it to quash such criminal proceedings, in exercise of power vested in it under Section 482 of the CrPC.
Read why Gujarat HC upheld acquittal in SC/ST Atrocity Case over absence of ‘public view’ and ‘intentional insult’
“In an acquittal appeal if other view is possible, then also, the appellate court cannot merely substitute its view by reversing the acquittal into conviction, unless the findings of the trial Court are perverse, palpably wrong, manifestly erroneous or demonstrably unsustainable.”
Mere sending or exchange of messages containing profanity would not amount to stalking: Karnataka High Court
The Court found that the instant case revolved around seriously disputed questions of fact, which would require further proceedings before the Court concerned.
Rajasthan High Court dismisses plea to quash FIRs or consolidate investigation against Ex-MLA Pramod Jain Bhaya
“The law requires that for an allegation of malafide to be sustained, it must be pleaded with specificity and supported by material facts. In the absence of mens rea, or a demonstrable element of ill-intention, such a prayer cannot be entertained.”
SC restores bail granted to BJP’s Girraj Singh Malinga in 2022 for offences under IPC and SC/ST Act
Girraj Singh Malinga was charged for the major offences punishable under Section 307 IPC, amongst others, read with Sections 3(1)(r), 3(1)(s) and 3(2)(va) of the SC/ST Act. He was duly arrested, and bail was granted by the order dated 17-05-2022.
Bombay HC refuses to quash FIR against two people who allegedly slapped a Member of Parliament belonging to Scheduled Caste
There is sufficient material collected during investigation to indicate that the incident did take place and that slapping ‘G’ is an offence under Section 3(2)(v-a) of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
HIGH COURT DECEMBER 2024 WEEKLY ROUNDUP | Stories on Harsh Beniwal; Swarn Rekha River Revival Project; Sabarimala Pilgrimage; and more
A quick legal roundup to cover important stories from all High Courts this week.
‘No mention of accused persons awareness of caste at time of alleged incident; even otherwise remarks not made in public place’: P&H HC quashes SC/ST Act case
In the present case, the complaint remained pending for several years and no application was filed by Respondent 2. Now, no purpose would be served by ordering the prosecution of the accused persons, after a long delay of 14 years, when Respondent 2 and his co-accused have already been convicted in a criminal trial, relating to the same occurrence.
Rajasthan High Court quashes FIR under SC/ST Act against actress Shilpa Shetty for use of word “Bhangi” in 2013 Interview
“One cannot lose sight of the reality that celebrities and public figures invariably tend to speak in a casual tone during interviews, and it is thus essential to consider the broader context rather than isolating specific words.”