Allegations of Caste-Based Abuse and Legal Battle: Supreme Court Verdict Explained

The legal dispute between Priti Agarwalla and Others versus The State of GNCT of Delhi and Others reached the Supreme Court, highlighting critical issues concerning allegations of caste-based abuse under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The case revolved around a complaint made by an equestrian trainee, Praveen Kumar (Prashant), against fellow athletes and their parents, accusing them of casteist slurs and threats.

Background of the Case

The dispute originated at the Olympic Riding and Equestrian Academy (OREA) in New Delhi, where Praveen Kumar, a Scheduled Caste athlete, alleged that fellow trainees and their parents had subjected him to continuous humiliation and casteist remarks. The allegations included derogatory name-calling, threats, and exclusion from the sport on the basis of caste.

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Petitioner’s Argument

The appellants, including Priti Agarwalla and others, contended that the allegations were fabricated and part of a vendetta initiated by the academy’s administrator, Mr. Kapil Nath Modi. They argued that the complaint was a counteraction to previous cases filed against the administrator. The appellants further claimed that the statements attributed to them lacked specificity, failed to establish public view as required under the Act, and were exaggerated.

Respondent’s Argument

The respondent, Praveen Kumar, maintained that he had been consistently subjected to caste-based humiliation and threats. He provided details of specific incidents where slurs were used against him. He also argued that the academy was a public place, making the abuses punishable under the SC/ST Act.

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Supreme Court’s Ruling

The Supreme Court analyzed the allegations, examining whether the incidents met the legal requirements for prosecution under the SC/ST Act. The Court ruled that the accusations failed to establish that the alleged casteist remarks were made in a “public view” as required by law. Additionally, the Court found inconsistencies in the respondent’s complaints and noted that a counter-complaint had been filed against the academy administrator.

The Court upheld the decision of the Metropolitan Magistrate, rejecting the respondent’s appeal. It ruled that the case did not warrant further criminal proceedings against the appellants and dismissed the charges.

Conclusion

The ruling highlights the importance of strict adherence to legal standards in caste-based abuse cases. While the SC/ST Act provides robust protection against discrimination, courts must ensure that allegations meet the specific legal requirements before initiating criminal proceedings.

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Petitioner Name: Priti Agarwalla and Others.
Respondent Name: The State of GNCT of Delhi and Others.
Judgment By: Justice M. M. Sundresh, Justice S. V. N. Bhatti.
Place Of Incident: New Delhi.
Judgment Date: 17-05-2024.

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