SC Upholds HC Order Quashing SC/ST Case Against CM

The Supreme Court today upheld the Telangana High Court's order quashing criminal proceedings filed under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi dismissed a petition challenging the High Court's earlier decision, observing that the High Court had carefully examined the material placed on record and found no prima facie case against the respondent.

The case, titled N Peddi Raju vs State of Telangana, relates to a 2016 complaint connected to a land dispute involving a cooperative housing society. The complainant alleged trespass, property damage and caste-based abuse, which led to the registration of an FIR under relevant sections of the IPC and the SC/ST Act.

While quashing the case earlier, the High Court held that the evidence did not establish the necessary points to invoke the provisions of the SC/ST Act. The court observed that the mere existence of a civil land dispute did not automatically attract offences under the Act unless there was a clear intention to humiliate a person specifically on caste grounds. It also said that no direct material linked the accused to the alleged acts.

During the Supreme Court hearing, the bench stated that the High Court's reasoning appeared legally sound and declined to interfere with the order. The court clarified that the dismissal of the appeal was based on the merits of the case, as assessed by the High Court.

The ruling effectively brings closure to the proceedings against the Chief Minister in this matter, reaffirming that criminal provisions under the SC/ST Act require specific intent and supporting evidence before a trial can proceed.