Timely consideration of bail applications under the SC/ST Act is crucial, but must align with the Act's protective measures against its misuse.

This petition has been filed seeking for issuing a direction to the I Additional District and Sessions Court (PCR), Thanjavur to consider the bail application to be filed by the petitioner on the same day of his surrender in connection with Crime No.166 of 2024 on the file of the 2nd respondent Police.

2. In view of the specific bar under Section 18 of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 and also taking into consideration the possibility of misusing the pious intention of the Parliament against innocent persons, there shall be a direction to the I Additional District and Sessions Court (PCR), Thanjavur to consider the petitioner-s bail application, preferably on the same day of his surrender in connection with Crime No.166 of 2024 on the file of the second respondent and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law after affording due opportunity to the victim under Section 15(a) of the SC/ST Act. The petitioner shall surrender before the concerned jurisdictional Court within a period of fifteen days from the date of the receipt of a copy of this Order.

3. It is needless to say that the Court below, while disposing the bail petition shall look into the gravity of the offence, previous antecedents of the petitioner and pass orders. Mere direction issued by this Court to consider the bail petition on the same day does not amount to consider it favourably.

4. With the above direction, the Criminal Original Petition stands disposed of.