Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Allahabad High Court Limits Caste-Name Use Under SC/ST Act
The Allahabad High Court considered a case involving the use of a caste name.
The court said that saying a caste name does not automatically break the SC/ST Act.
It must appear that the person meant to insult or humiliate someone because of their caste.
The court examined the allegations and evidence available at that stage.
It found that the basic parts of the alleged offences were not shown.
Therefore, it cancelled the lower court’s order summoning the accused under the Act.
The decision only applied to the SC/ST Act charges.
Other allegations, such as abuse or assault, can continue separately.
The Allahabad High Court ruled that merely using a caste name does not automatically constitute an offence under the SC/ST Act.
The court said there must be prima facie material showing an intention or knowledge to insult or humiliate someone because of their caste.
The ruling involved allegations that the word “Chamar” had been used and challenged a lower court’s summons order.
The High Court found that the essential ingredients of the alleged SC/ST Act offences were not established on the available material.
It set aside the summons and quashed the SC/ST Act proceedings, while allowing separate allegations such as abuse or assault to continue.
- Who
- The Allahabad High Court, in a case involving an accused person and a complainant.
- What
- The court quashed a lower court’s summons order and related proceedings under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
- Where
- Prayagraj, before the Allahabad High Court.
- Why
- The court found no prima facie material showing that the caste-related word was used with the intention or knowledge of insulting or humiliating the complainant because of caste.
- Court
- Allahabad High Court
- Law involved
- Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act
- Caste-related word alleged
- “Chamar”
- Key legal requirement
- Prima facie evidence of intent or knowledge to insult or humiliate on the ground of caste
- Court’s action
- Lower court summons order set aside and SC/ST Act proceedings quashed
- Other allegations
- Separate allegations, including abuse or assault, may continue unless specifically covered by the order