NEW DELHI: Supreme Court has said that merely using abusive language against a member of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes cannot be an offence under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the law could be invoked only when the allegation is of abusing “by the caste name” and that too within public view.Explaining Section Sec 3(1)(s) of SC/ST Act, a bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and Alok Aradhe said for an offence to be made out under the act, merely abusing a member of a SC/ST would not be enough and at the same time, saying caste name would also not constitute an offence.”…The allegations must reveal that abuses were laced with caste name, or the caste name had been hurled as an abuse. What appears from the aforesaid is the element of humiliation is present in Section 3(1)(s) as well. It has to be gathered from the intentional insult towards the caste, and the content.”End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos”Visit Marks Milestone In Strengthening India-UAE Partnership…” MEA On The Visit Of UAE PresidentIndia-US Trade Talks Ongoing In Complex Environment, Says Mukesh AghiBangladesh Admits 645 Minority Incidents In 2025 But Downplays Communal Angle Amid Hindu KillingsBJP Picks Nitin Nabin As National President,To Take Charge January 20“…We Find Threatening”: Poland Raises Alarm Over India’s Role In Russia Zapad ExercisesMore Than Optics: Why PM Modi’s Rare Airport Gesture For UAE President Matters For India’s StrategyWhat Does Pak Field Marshal Asim Munir Mean By Pakistan’s ‘Purpose’ And What It Means For IndiaUnnao Rape Case: Delhi HC Rejects Kuldeep Sengar’s Plea To Suspend SentenceThree Houses, Cars And Loans: How Indore Beggar Mangilal Built Wealth While Begging On StreetsReza Pahlavi Promises Friendship With India, But His Return Could Reopen Iran’s Old Fault Lines123PhotostoriesFake Sweet Potato in the market? How to check the purity of sweet potato at home and 6 easy dishesHow to make classic Bread Halwa at home8 baby girl names inspired by rare flowers from around the worldHow to make Chicken Kadi Patta for dinnerTop 10 countries in Asia with the highest quality of life20 Maggi combinations to enjoy this winter season15 best rated dishes made with Paneer from across India by top global culinary agency5 principal beliefs of Hinduism explained simplyFrom Namita Thapar’s Rs 50 crore house to Aman Gupta’s lavish lifestyle- Luxurious things Shark Tank India judges ownTravel influencer Shenaz Treasury recommends these 6 places women must travel to in 2026; safe, stunning and solo-friendly123Hot PicksSilver price todayBudget 2026Gold rate todayGold price predictionVande Bharat sleeperPublic holidays January 2026Bank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingMatthew StaffordBroncos vs Patriots InjuryDJ MooreBill BelichickRoger FedererJalen BrunsonKhabib Nurmagomedov Net WorthNHL Trade RumorsSan Antonio Spurs vs Utah JazzWashington Wizards vs Los Angeles Clippers
NEW DELHI: Supreme Court has said that merely using abusive language against a member of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes cannot be an offence under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the law could be invoked only when the allegation is of abusing “by the caste name” and that too within public view.Explaining Section Sec 3(1)(s) of SC/ST Act, a bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and Alok Aradhe said for an offence to be made out under the act, merely abusing a member of a SC/ST would not be enough and at the same time, saying caste name would also not constitute an offence.“…The allegations must reveal that abuses were laced with caste name, or the caste name had been hurled as an abuse. What appears from the aforesaid is the element of humiliation is present in Section 3(1)(s) as well. It has to be gathered from the intentional insult towards the caste, and the content.”
