Use of 'bhangi', similar words not grounds for SC/ST Act charges: Rajasthan High Court
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Jaipur: The Rajasthan High Court has held that words like "Bhangi," "Neech," "Bhikhari," and "Mangani" are not caste names and their usage does not attract charges under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (SC/ST Act).
Justice Birendra Kumar made this observation while quashing SC/ST Act charges against four individuals accused of using these terms against public servants inspecting alleged encroachments in Jaisalmer in January 2011.
The Court noted that the words used did not refer to any caste and there was no indication that the accused intended to humiliate the public servants based on their caste. The judge further remarked that the alleged actions appeared to be a protest against the officials’ measurement process rather than an act of caste-based discrimination.
The case originated from a criminal complaint lodged after the accused allegedly obstructed officials and used abusive language during an encroachment inspection. Initially, the police found no evidence and filed a negative report. However, a protest petition led the trial court to frame charges under Sections 353, 332, and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 3(1)(X) of the SC/ST Act.
Counsel for the accused argued that the petitioners were unaware of the officials' caste and there were no independent witnesses to prove that the incident occurred in public view. The High Court agreed, observing that only the informant and officials were witnesses, with no independent corroboration of the claims.
While discharging the accused from SC/ST Act charges, the Court upheld the charges under IPC Sections 353 and 332, finding prima facie evidence of obstruction and causing hurt to deter public servants from performing their duties.
The petitioners were represented by Advocate Leela Dhar Khatri, while Public Prosecutor Surendra Bishnoi appeared for the State.
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Vehicle topples on Bhatkal-Byndoor road; Found to be transporting cattle amid fish
Byndoor: An attempt to transport cattle in an insulated vehicle designed for carrying fish came to light after the vehicle, being driven at high speed, toppled near Karikatte in Shiroor on Thursday night.
The vehicle, traveling from Bhatkal taluk in Uttara Kannada district to Byndoor, was loaded with trays of fish, with cattle placed in between. The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle near Durgambika Halla at Karikatte, causing it to overturn on the road.
As the vehicle toppled, the cattle being transported along with the fish became visible. The driver is said to have fled the scene immediately after the accident.
A case has been registered at Byndoor Police Station, and an investigation is underway.
