Misuse of SC/ST Act leading to quashing of cognizance order due to lack of credible evidence.

CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SANDEEP KUMAR ORAL ORDER

19 02-02-2026 Heard learned counsel for the appellant and learned Special P.P. for the State.

2. Since Mr. Kedar Jha, learned Advocate had appeared for the same informant in Cr. Appeal (SJ) No. 1365/2022, he requested this Court to argue this case and he is allowed to do the same.

3. This appeal has been preferred for quashing the order dated 26.11.2021 passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge-1st -cum-Special Judge (SC/ST {P.O.A} Act), whereunder cognizance of the offences under Sections

341, 323, 354, 504/34 of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 3(i)(r), 3(1)(s), 3(2)(va) of SC/ST Act has been taken against the appellant and five others.

4. As per the prosecution case, on February 7, 2021, co-accused Suraj Thakur dragged the informant’s sister Gudiya Kumari (19 years) toward his car. When the informant intervened, all named accused and 4-5 unknown armed persons arrived, abused him by caste name, and assaulted him and his family members with deadly weapons.

5. It has been submitted by the learned counsel for the appellant that the appellant has falsely been implicated in this case and no offence is made out against the appellant under the SC/ST Act .

6. Learned Spl. P.P. for the State has opposed the prayer of the appellant and has supported the impugned order.

7. I have gone through the order taking cognizance because of personal enmity and the provisions of the SC/ST Act have been misused. So from the allegations levelled against the with the informant who belongs to Scheduled Caste with an intention that it was being done on the ground of caste.

8. In view of the above, the prosecution of the appellant is malafide and the same cannot be allowed in view of the law laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the cases of Dashrath Sahu vs. State of Chhattisgarh reported in 2024 SCC OnLine SC 72 and State of Haryana & Ors. vs. Bhajan Lal &

Ors. reported in 1992 Supp(1) SCC 335

9. Accordingly, this application is allowed and the order dated 26.11.2021 passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge-1st -cum-Special Judge SC/ST (P.O.A) Act, Darbhanga in SC/ST G.R. Case No. 35/2021 arising out of consequential proceedings arising out of the same are hereby quashed.

(Sandeep Kumar, J)