The court held that the bail application must be considered promptly, ensuring fair opportunity to the victim under the SC/ST Act.

for R1 & R2 O R D E R This Criminal Original Petition has been filed seeking a direction to the Principal District and Sessions Court, (Special Judge), SC/ST Act cases, Erode District, to consider the bail application of the petitioner in Crime No.137 of 2025 on the file of the 2nd respondent police on the same day of her surrender.

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 Principal District and Sessions Court, Special Judge for SC/ST Act cases, Erode District, to consider the petitioner's bail application, on the same day of her surrender, in connection with Crime No.137 of 2025 on the file of the

2nd respondent Police and to pass appropriate orders in accordance with law, after affording due opportunity to the victim under Section 15-A of the SC/ST Act, 1989. The petitioner shall surrender before the jurisdictional Court within a period of fifteen days from the date of the receipt of a copy of this order.

3. In view of the above, the Criminal Original Petition stands allowed.