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“Alarming Rise In Dog Bites”: Supreme Court Orders Removal Of Stray Dogs From Schools, Hospitals, Stations

By
The Commune
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Stray Dog Menace: Madurai Bench Of Madras High Court Considers Enforcing Supreme Court’s Delhi Directive

Citing an “alarming rise of dog-bite incidents,” the Supreme Court on Friday issued a sweeping order directing that all educational institutions, hospitals, public sports complexes, bus stands, depots, and railway stations across India be properly fenced to prevent the entry of stray dogs.

A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria passed the order in the suo motu case concerning the stray dog menace. The Court said that it will be the responsibility of the concerned local self-government institutions to capture stray dogs from such public areas and shift them to designated dog shelters after vaccination and sterilisation, in line with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules.

The bench further ruled that once picked up, the stray dogs must not be released back in the same area. “Permitting the same would frustrate the very purpose of liberating such institutions from the presence of stray dogs,” the Court observed.

The bench directed that local bodies conduct regular inspections to ensure that no stray dog habitats exist within the fenced premises.

After the pronouncement, senior advocates Anand Grover and Karuna Nundy urged the Court to consider their submissions before finalising the order. Nundy argued that “if dogs are removed, new dogs will occupy the same spot.” However, the bench declined to entertain the submissions and proceeded to finalise the order.

Directions to Remove Stray Cattle from Roads and Highways

The Court also issued parallel directions for the removal of stray cattle and other animals from highways and expressways across India. It upheld the directions previously issued by the Rajasthan High Court on this issue and ordered a coordinated national drive.

“A joint coordinated drive shall be undertaken to immediately remove all such animals found on highways/roadways/expressways, including cattle,” the Court stated. It added that such animals must be shifted to goshalas or shelter homes and warned that non-compliance would invite personal accountability.

“Chief Secretaries of all states/UTs shall ensure strict compliance with this. Otherwise, officers will be held personally responsible. Status to be filed in 8 weeks, indicating mechanism developed to carry out directions,” the bench directed.

Background of the Case

The Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of the stray dog menace on 28 July 2025, after a Times of India report titled “In a city hounded by strays, kids pay price”. Initially, a bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan had issued interim directions on 11 August 2025, expressing concern over the rising incidents of dog bites and rabies.

That bench ordered the Delhi government and civic authorities to relocate stray dogs to shelters and barred their release back into localities. The directions also extended to Noida, Gurugram, and Ghaziabad.

The Court warned that “if any individual or organization obstructed the authorities from picking up stray dogs, they would face legal consequences.” It even allowed authorities to create a dedicated force for this purpose.

However, the matter took a new turn when some lawyers approached Chief Justice BR Gavai, arguing that the August 11 order conflicted with earlier Supreme Court rulings. The case was then transferred to the three-judge bench led by Justice Vikram Nath.

On 22 August 2025, this new bench stayed the earlier order, remarking that the previous direction “prohibiting the release of the treated and vaccinated dogs seems to be too harsh.” Referring to Rule 11(9) of the ABC Rules, the Court clarified that sterilised and vaccinated dogs must ordinarily be released back to their original locality, except those “infected with rabies, suspected to be infected with rabies or exhibiting aggressive behavior.”

The bench also reiterated its earlier order prohibiting public feeding of stray dogs, directing civic bodies to create designated feeding spaces. It again warned that no individual or organization should obstruct municipal authorities carrying out animal control measures.

Further, the Court expanded the matter’s scope beyond Delhi-NCR, making it pan-India. Secretaries of Animal Husbandry Departments, municipal corporations, and local bodies in all States and Union Territories were made parties to ensure compliance with the ABC Rules.

The bench stated that similar pending petitions in various High Courts may be transferred to the Supreme Court to formulate a uniform national policy.

On 27 October 2025, the Court summoned Chief Secretaries of all States and UTs, except West Bengal and Telangana, for failing to file affidavits on implementing the ABC Rules. On October 31, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta requested that the Chief Secretaries be allowed to appear virtually. The Court, however, refused, expressing displeasure at the states’ lack of compliance.

Justice Nath’s bench remarked that the Court was compelled to resolve issues that should have been addressed by local and state authorities. “The Chief Secretaries sat on the Court’s order and did not show respect for it,” the bench observed.

Next Steps

All states and union territories have been directed to file compliance reports within eight weeks, outlining mechanisms developed to enforce the fencing, animal relocation, and inspection requirements. The Court made it clear that failure to act will invite personal liability for senior officials.

The suo motu matter will be taken up again after the reports are filed.

(Source: LiveLaw)

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The Double Standard Of Religious Expression In The West

By
The Commune
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The Double Standard Of Religious Expression In The West

There’s a spectacle that unfolds every year on Park Avenue in New York City, one that is both profound and deeply public.

Thousands of Shia Muslims gather for the Ashura Procession, a solemn commemoration of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain. Dressed in black, they march, chant, and engage in rituals like chest-beating, transforming a iconic Manhattan boulevard into a river of religious devotion. Similar gatherings, lectures, and mourning sessions fill Islamic centers across Brooklyn and Queens throughout the month of Muharram.

This public display of faith is, rightly, treated as a protected expression of religious freedom. It is a powerful testament to the multicultural fabric of America.

But observe this scene and then consider a hypothetical: imagine a procession of thousands of Hindus performing a similarly intense, public religious ritual on the same streets. The reaction, particularly from within our own community, would be starkly different.

You would instantly find a cohort of Hindus raining down upon them. There would be a flurry of social media videos shaming them, calling them “backward,” and attributing their newfound public confidence not to their own rights as citizens, but to a political climate in India. The refrain would be familiar: “This is happening because of Modi.” It’s a bizarre form of self-flagellation that is almost unique to the Hindu diaspora.

And then we wonder why a figure like Vivek Ramaswamy might feel compelled to apologize for or downplay his faith in public life.

The truth is, the reason you see Hindus in the US coming out into public spaces with more visible displays of religiosity now is precisely because others have been doing it for years. The Ashura Procession is just one example. A standard has been set in the West: public religious expression is a valid form of cultural identity.

For decades, Hindus, often wary of standing out or being misunderstood, largely kept their worship within temple walls. Now, as a new generation asserts its place, it is simply following the path that other communities have already paved. Yet, when Hindus walk this path, the rules seem to change. The same public display that is a protected right for others is suddenly labeled as “egregious” or “political” when performed by Hindus. And the most vocal critics are often from within. If anyone dares to question this hypocrisy, the accusation of “phobia” is instantly deployed, shutting down all debate.

Let’s be clear: fifteen years ago, these large-scale public religious displays by other communities were less visible. And coincidentally, so were those by Hindus. The recent increase in Hindu public expression has nothing to do with the RSS or Modi. It has everything to do with a natural evolution in a multicultural society – a desire to claim the same space and the same rights that every other immigrant group has fought for and won.

The problem isn’t that Hindus are becoming more public. The problem is that a segment of Hindus refuses to grant their own community the same grace and autonomy they effortlessly afford to others. Until that changes, we will continue to see this painful double standard, where our faith is the only one expected to apologize for its own existence.

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CCTV Footage Showing Woman Being Kidnapped Near Coimbatore Surfaces Just Days After Gang-Rape Incident, TN BJP Chief Nainar Nagendran Slams DMK Govt

By
The Commune
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CCTV Footage Showing Woman Being Kidnapped Near Coimbatore Surfaces Just Days After Gang-Rape Incident, TN BJP Chief Nainar Nagendran Slams DMK Govt

A shocking incident of abduction has been reported from the Irugur area near Coimbatore, where CCTV footage captured a woman being forcibly taken into a car by unidentified individuals on Thursday evening. The video, which has since gone viral on social media, shows a car abruptly pulling over and the occupants dragging a young woman into the vehicle before speeding away.

According to preliminary reports, the incident occurred around 7 PM when three female students were walking along the roadside. One of them was allegedly targeted by the assailants, attacked, and pushed into the car. The victim’s screams can be heard in the footage, adding to the public alarm.

Police teams from Peelamedu and Singanallur stations immediately rushed to the spot after receiving information about the abduction. Officers have begun a full-scale investigation, collecting CCTV footage from the surrounding areas to trace the vehicle’s route and identify the suspects. Eyewitnesses in the locality have been questioned, and a search operation has been launched.

The incident has triggered widespread concern, coming just days after a gang rape case near the Coimbatore airport shocked the state. The back-to-back incidents have intensified public anxiety about women’s safety in the region.

Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran strongly condemned the incident, accusing the DMK government of presiding over a collapse of law and order in Coimbatore. In a post on X, he wrote: “Turning the Manchester of the South into a region prowled by monsters who prey on women is DMK’s only achievement! It is shocking that, just three days after the gang rape of a student in Coimbatore, CCTV footage has now emerged from Irugur showing a woman being abducted. I urge the Tamil Nadu police not to act as the DMK’s henchmen but to immediately intervene and rescue the abducted woman.”

Nagendran further stated that incidents like the gang sexual assault near the airport and the Irugur abduction highlight the total breakdown of women’s safety under DMK rule. He also questioned the state government’s law enforcement approach, saying,

“With such incompetent administration and deteriorating law and order, how many criminals do you plan to shoot down in encounters to protect women, Hon. Chief Minister Thiru. M.K. Stalin?”

He added that a government “which sacrifices women to predatory vultures while merely making empty promises” cannot be described as one delivering good governance.

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IIT Gandhinagar Allegedly Appoints ‘Artist’ MK Raina Who Signed Mercy Petition For Yakub Memon & Said Modi Govt “Wants To Make Us Brain-dead”

By
The Commune
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IIT Gandhinagar Allegedly Appoints 'Artist' MK Raina Who Signed Mercy Petition For Yakub Memon & Said Modi Govt "Wants To Make Us Brain-dead"

The Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar (IITGN) and the Ministry of Education are under intense public scrutiny following revelations of a discreet faculty appointment, which critics are labeling as politically motivated and lacking in transparency.

The institute has been mired in controversy for the past few years especially with the Humanities department indulging in pushing Islamist agenda, appointing anti-nationals and supporters of terrorists and separatists.

The controversy centers on the appointment of 77-year-old theatre personality and activist, MK Raina, to a position at the institute. Documents and social media evidence suggest that Raina was appointed as an “artist-in-residence” in September 2025, but this information was conspicuously absent from the institute’s official website, leading to allegations of a deliberate attempt to avoid public accountability.

The appointment has sparked a fierce backlash, primarily due to Raina’s well-documented political stances and past activities. Critics have pointed to two key issues:

1. Mercy Petition for Yakub Memon

In July 2015, Raina was a prominent signatory on a petition to the President of India, pleading for clemency for Yakub Memon, who was convicted and executed for his role in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts. The petition, signed by nearly 300 individuals from various fields, argued that the death sentence was “grossly unfair, arbitrary, and excessive.” This action proves that he is a terrorist sympathiser.

2. Negative Propaganda Against Modi Govt

In a detailed 2016 interview, Raina offered sharp criticism of the Modi government, stating, “This government wants to make us brain-dead.” He elaborated on his views, expressing concern over what he perceived as the suppression of dissent, the weakening of institutions, and a rising atmosphere of intolerance. He criticized the government’s handling of the JNU protests, the silencing of rationalist voices, and alleged that the regime was “breaking institutions.” Raina also predicted internal dissent within the BJP would challenge the current order.

Critics have drawn a comparison with other recent appointments, citing names such as filmmaker Don Chacko Palathara alleging a pattern of controversial hires at IIT Gandhinagar and calling for greater transparency about selection criteria and conflict-of-interest checks.

Questions raised publicly include why a 77-year-old with a primarily artistic background was given a faculty post in a premier technological institute, and whether the institution followed its advertised recruitment norms.

His recent appointment is now mired in a political firestorm. The core questions remain unanswered by the authorities: Why was the appointment not publicly disclosed? What are the specific criteria and justification for appointing a 77-year-old activist to a faculty position at a premier technological institute?

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Pro-Congress Propagandist Ravi Nair Who Writes For Leftist Rags Tried To Turn A Routine Filing Into A Fake Adani Scandal, Deletes Post Silently After Adani Group CFO Schools Him On Finance 101

By
The Commune
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Self-proclaimed “independent investigative journalist” or more like leftist-funded propagandist Ravi Nair wrote a post on 6 November 2025 on his X handle, that misrepresented Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited’s (APSEZ) financial disclosures. Nair claimed that the company’s ₹5,000 crore non-convertible debenture (NCD) issue involved opaque related-party transactions, citing excerpts from a May 2025 regulatory filing.

After backlash, he deleted the post.

What Actually Happened?

The controversy began when Nair posted a screenshot of a financial document from Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited, along with the comment, “This is exactly what we said in our last story in WaPo. Did we say anything wrong? I rest the case here for the time being ;)”

The document in question was a statutory filing detailing the utilization of proceeds from a ₹5,000 crore Non-Convertible Debenture (NCD) issue. Nair’s implication was that the company had acted opaquely, using the newly raised funds simply to repay other loans from banks like State Bank of India and Yes Bank.

The table, however, showed that the NCD proceeds were utilized for standard debt refinancing and short-term loan repayments including ₹2,943.73 crore to State Bank of India and ₹1,546 crore to Yes Bank in May and June 2025 – all in compliance with the stated purpose outlined in the company’s official documents.

Adani Group CFO Response

The narrative was swiftly challenged by Adani Group Chief Financial Officer, Jugeshinder Singh. Singh clarified that the use of funds for “repayment/refinancing of existing debt” was not only explicitly listed as a primary objective in the very document Nair cited but was also a standard and legitimate corporate financial practice aimed at managing debt maturity profiles.

Faced with this factual rebuttal, Nair silently deleted the tweet. He has not issued a public correction or apology for the initial post.

A Lesson in Corporate Finance

Financial experts explain that the document Nair shared clearly outlined three permissible uses for the funds: (a) debt repayment/refinancing, (b) general corporate purposes, and (c) capital expenditure. By using the funds to repay shorter-term bank facilities, Adani Ports was operating squarely within the legally disclosed parameters—a common strategy for companies seeking to extend debt maturities or optimize their capital structure.

Netizen Response

Netizens trashed Nair’s understanding of economics, numbers, finance and called out his lack of understanding of basic 11th standard commerce.

“Ravi Nair reads a financial statement like a chef reads a circuit diagram, zero clue, full confidence,” quipped one user, summarizing the sentiment of many.

Nair & Adani – Not The First Time

This is not the first time that Nair has targeted the Adani group. In October 2025, Nair published a propaganda piece in Washington Post claiming a ₹33,000 crore ($3.9 billion) LIC “bailout” for the Adani Group has drawn sharp criticism in India for alleged factual distortion and bias. LIC and government officials dismissed the claim as baseless, clarifying that the transaction was a routine, AAA-rated bond subscription within regulatory norms.

Former LIC chairman Siddhartha Mohanty called the story a “misleading narrative,” noting LIC’s independent decision-making and strong financials, including ₹48,151 crore profit in FY 2024–25. Critics argued the report reflects a recurring anti-India pattern in The Washington Post’s coverage, noting that all its 2024 Pulitzer finalists centered on negative portrayals of India. Reporter Pranshu Verma, who co-authored those stories, also wrote the Adani-LIC piece.

Observers saw such narratives as geopolitically motivated attempts to undermine India’s economic rise.

Nair has faced multiple defamation suits for earlier pieces in The Guardian, Frontline, and The Wire, accused of recycling debunked claims and amplifying foreign-funded anti-India narratives linked to groups like OCCRP and Hindenburg. Critics say his work aligns with Western short-sellers and political actors seeking to damage India’s economic reputation. From false EVM claims to sensationalized Adani “exposés,” Nair has become emblematic of what many describe as propaganda journalism – reckless, inaccurate, and driven by ideology rather than fact.

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‘Fact-Checker’ Mohammed Zubair Peddles Fake News On Phase 1 Of Bihar Polls, Targets PM Modi And DD News To Fuel ‘Vote Chori’ Lie

By
The Commune
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As Phase 1 of the Bihar Assembly Election concluded with a record voter turnout of 64.66%, AltNews co-founder and alleged fact-checker Mohammed Zubair came under sharp criticism for allegedly spreading misinformation against Doordarshan News (DD News) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, insinuating that the state broadcaster had advance knowledge of an NDA victory.

PM Modi’s Post After Phase 1

Following the conclusion of voting, Prime Minister Modi posted on X: “In the first phase of voting in the Bihar Assembly elections, the NDA has gained a massive lead. Along with this, its wave is visible everywhere in the second phase as well. Amid this enthusiasm of the public, tomorrow afternoon around 1:45 PM, I will have the good fortune to communicate with my family members in Aurangabad, and around 3:30 PM in Bhabhua.”

 The statement, typical of political leaders after polling, reflected optimism and confidence in the NDA’s performance.

DD News Relays PM’s Statement

DD News subsequently shared a verbatim Hindi translation of the Prime Minister’s post, repeating the same words about the NDA’s “lead” and the Prime Minister’s scheduled engagements. The tweet was clearly attributed to PM Modi and did not include any independent commentary or electoral analysis from the broadcaster.

Image Source: OpIndia

What Zubair Posted

Shortly after, Mohammed Zubair posted a screenshot of DD News’ tweet, writing: “How does the national broadcaster @DDNewsHindi know that NDA is leading in the Bihar first phase?”

Zubair’s post implied that DD News possessed insider knowledge of the results, suggesting, without evidence, that the elections were “rigged” or that the broadcaster was complicit in manipulating public perception. Critics described this as an attempt to echo the “vote chori” (vote theft) narrative being circulated by sections of the opposition.

Fact Check

A review of the posts shows that DD News merely relayed PM Modi’s own tweet — word for word — without making any independent claims. The Prime Minister’s statement itself was a political assertion, not an official result or forecast. Political leaders, including opposition figures, routinely make such claims of confidence once voting concludes.

For instance, Tejashwi Yadav of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) also took to X after Phase 1 to declare that a “wave of change” was sweeping Bihar in favor of the Mahagathbandhan. He wrote, “For the first time in 20 years, an unprecedented wave of change is visible in favor of the Mahagathbandhan.”

Observers noted that if a news channel had quoted Yadav’s statement, it would not imply that either the channel or the politician possessed pre-poll results. The same logic applies to DD News quoting PM Modi.

Zubair – Peddling Deliberate Misinformation

Zubair seems to want to manipulate the narrative by posting an English translation of DD News’ Hindi tweet — removing context and attribution — to make it appear as though DD News had independently declared an NDA lead. This misrepresentation seems to be designed to mislead English-speaking audiences and undermine public trust in the Election Commission and state media during an ongoing poll.

Pattern of Misleading Claims

Zubair has previously been accused of spreading misinformation and selectively targeting Hindu groups and government institutions under the guise of fact-checking. His past controversies include posts relating to Nupur Sharma’s televised remarks, where instead of addressing facts, he amplified outrage and personal attacks, leading to widespread threats against the former BJP spokesperson.

He has also been accused of distorting incidents in Mhow, Dharmasthala, and Kanwariya processions, and for allegedly whitewashing violence against Hindus in Bangladesh.

Analysts have warned that such misleading narratives during an active election phase can harm public confidence in the electoral process. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has consistently emphasized that political leaders are free to express confidence post-voting, as long as no polling data or exit polls are cited.

(Source: OpIndia)

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BJP Leader H Raja Slams TN HR&CE Dept For Violating Court Order & Agamas And Doing Ramp Work At Kanchipuram Devarajaswamy Temple

By
The Commune
-
BJP Leader H Raja Accuses HR&CE Of Illegal Ramp Work At Kanchipuram Devarajaswamy Temple Violating Court Order & Agamas

Senior BJP leader and convener of the Co-ordination Committee, H Raja has accused the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department of violating both temple agamas and a court undertaking by proceeding with unauthorized construction work at the historic Arulmigu Sri Devarajaswamy Temple in Kanchipuram.

In a statement, Raja said the HR&CE Department, represented by the temple’s Executive Trustee, has begun constructing a ramp from the Kachi Vaithan Prakaram to the outer prakaram of the temple, cutting across sacred prakarams. He alleged that the work involves altering the traditional vasal (entrance) of the temple and using windows surrounded by Vijayanagara-period murals to pave the ramp’s route, thereby damaging heritage flooring and structures of archaeological significance.

Raja claimed that the construction not only violates the agamas governing temple architecture but also breaches an undertaking given by the HR&CE Department before the Madras High Court in W.P. No. 22177 of 2025. The department had assured the court that no harm would be caused to any heritage structure, sannadhi, deity, or mural during renovation or accessibility works.

Calling the ongoing ramp construction “unnecessary” and “a clear act of contempt,” Raja urged authorities to halt the project immediately and preserve the temple’s sanctity and historical value.

Heritage conservationists and temple devotees have expressed similar concerns online, urging the authorities to immediately halt the work until the High Court’s conditions are fully complied with.

The HR&CE Department has not yet issued a public response to the allegations.

This news comes amid allegations that the iconic gold and silver lizard (palli) idols have gone missing during renovation work at the Varadharaja Perumal Temple in Kanchipuram.

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Chanakyaa Opinion Poll Predicts DMK Losing In 2026, Cites Rampant Anti-Incumbency And Law & Order Failure

By
The Commune
-

In a dire warning for the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), a comprehensive opinion poll by the Chanakyaa news channel has projected a significant defeat for the party in the upcoming 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The survey, conducted in October 2025 and released this month, paints a picture of a government grappling with severe public dissatisfaction on issues of corruption, law and order, and unfulfilled promises.

The survey presented by Rangaraj Pandey, reveals a stark contrast between the public’s perception of the state and central governments. While the BJP-led central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi enjoy a net positive rating, the state government under Chief Minister MK Stalin is facing a powerful wave of anti-incumbency.

Key Findings Point to DMK’s Downfall

The survey, which sampled 2,989 voters across 32 assembly constituencies, identified several critical weaknesses for the DMK government:

Overwhelming Dissatisfaction with State Government: A full 45% of respondents rated the DMK government’s overall performance as “Poor,” compared to only 20% who found it “Superb.” This negative trend extends directly to the Chief Minister, with 41% rating his personal performance as “Poor.”

Law & Order in Crisis: Perhaps the most damning statistic is on public safety. A massive 56% of respondents rated the law-and-order situation in Tamil Nadu as “Poor” – the highest negative rating in the entire survey. This is a significant liability for CM Stalin, who also holds the Home Ministry portfolio.

Corruption a Major Allegation: The survey indicates that corruption is a primary public grievance. 60% of respondents believe that corruption has “increased” under the DMK regime. Furthermore, 41% viewed the Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax raids on DMK ministers as “legitimate actions,” while only 29% saw them as “political vendetta,” suggesting a credibility crisis for the government.

Unfulfilled Promises: The DMK’s track record on fulfilling its ambitious poll promises appears to be a major letdown for voters. While 58% felt promises were “partly fulfilled,” a significant 31% stated the government “did nothing.”

Deputy CM’s Popularity Plummets: The survey spells particular trouble for Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin, who received the most negative personal rating, with 52% of respondents rating his performance as “Poor.”

Electoral Implications

The survey’s voting intention question, contextualized by the performance ratings, points to a dramatic reversal from the 2024 Lok Sabha results, where the DMK alliance secured 45% of the surveyed vote. The current mood suggests that this support is crumbling under the weight of state-level anti-incumbency.

 

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Courts Flag Growing Misuse Of SC/ST Act: 2018–2025 Judgments Reveal Pattern Of False Complaints

By
The Commune
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On 31 October 2025, a court delivered a judgment in a case involving a false complaint filed under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The court found that the woman who lodged the complaint had fabricated the allegations and acted out of personal vengeance.

Ruling that no compensation could be granted under the provisions of the Act in a case based on false claims, the court sentenced the woman to three years and six months of imprisonment, with both terms to run concurrently.

A comprehensive review of court judgments from 2018 to 2025 reveals a persistent pattern of misuse of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. Across various High Courts and the Supreme Court, judges have quashed proceedings, imposed fines, and even sentenced complainants for filing false cases.

These rulings underscore the judiciary’s efforts to protect the landmark legislation from being weaponized for personal vendettas, property disputes, and business conflicts, thereby ensuring it serves its intended purpose of protecting marginalized communities from genuine caste-based atrocities.

#1 UP Woman Jailed for False Complaint – 31 October 2025

In a significant verdict, a Special SC/ST Court in Lucknow sentenced a woman to three and a half years in prison for filing a fabricated police complaint under the SC/ST Act in August 2019. The court, presided over by Judge Vivekanand Sharan Tripathi, found her allegations were driven by personal revenge. Emphasizing that compensation cannot be granted merely on the registration of an FIR, the court ruled that it must await a chargesheet and prima facie evidence. The woman was convicted under IPC sections 182 and 211, with both sentences to run concurrently.

#2 Bank’s Mortgage Rights Trump SC/ST Act Claims – 16 October 2025

The Delhi High Court, in a ruling by Justice Sachin Datta, held that the SC/ST Act cannot be used to obstruct banks from enforcing their legitimate mortgage rights. The case involved Axis Bank’s attempts to recover dues from a defaulting company, which prompted a complaint before the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes. Justice Datta stated that sections of the Act do not apply to lawful mortgage enforcement, staying the NCST proceedings and affirming that financial institutions cannot be blocked from exercising their security interests under the pretext of the anti-atrocities law.

#3 Marital Spat Insults Not an Offence: Telangana HC – 22 August 2025

The Telangana High Court quashed proceedings in a case where a Scheduled Caste man alleged his wife and her family used caste-based slurs against him during marital disputes. Justice E. V. Venugopal observed that the alleged remarks were exchanged in a private setting, not in “public view,” and therefore did not meet the essential criteria under Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s) of the SC/ST Act. The ruling clarified that caste-based insults between spouses in private do not constitute an offence under this specific legislation.

#4 Life Term for Advocate Who Filed Dozens of Fake Cases – 19 August 2025

A Special SC/ST Court in Lucknow handed down a life imprisonment sentence to Advocate Parmanand Gupta for a severe abuse of the legal process. The court found that Gupta had orchestrated dozens of fabricated rape and atrocity complaints under the SC/ST Act by misusing the identity of a Dalit woman. His motive was to target rivals in property disputes. Judge Vivekanand Sharan Tripathi convicted him of conspiracy, sentencing him to life and imposing a fine of ₹5.10 lakh for perverting the course of justice.

#5 Delhi HC Dismisses Plea Against Reservation for Converts – 13 August 2025

The Delhi High Court, led by Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya, refused to entertain a petition challenging the constitutional validity of extending SC/ST reservation benefits to individuals who convert from Hinduism to Buddhism. The bench noted that the petitioner had failed to provide the specific notification granting such benefits and advised that any future challenge must be properly drafted with the assistance of a senior counsel. The court dismissed the plea as withdrawn but granted liberty to file a fresh, well-framed petition.

#6 Caste by Birth, Not Marriage: HP HC Reinstates Charges – 28 July 2025

The Himachal Pradesh High Court set aside a trial court’s discharge order, reinstating SC/ST Act charges against a non-SC woman married to a Scheduled Caste man. Justice Rakesh Kainthla held that caste is determined by birth and does not change through marriage. The court ruled that the accused woman could not claim the protections or status of her husband’s caste, emphasizing that the legal framework does not recognize acquired caste status via matrimony for the purposes of the Act.

#7 HC Fines Gram Pradhan for Threatening Lawyer – 8 July 2025

The Allahabad High Court imposed a fine of ₹25,000 on a Gram Pradhan for threatening a lawyer with false implication under the SC/ST Act. Justice J. J. Munir condemned the conduct, stating it was an act of intimidation aimed at obstructing justice in a land encroachment case. The court ordered ₹10,000 to be paid to the threatened advocate and ₹15,000 to the State Legal Services Authority, issuing a stern warning in lieu of initiating criminal contempt proceedings.

#8 Business Dispute, Not Caste Crime: Karnataka HC – 4 June 2025

The Karnataka High Court quashed SC/ST Act proceedings against a realtor and his wife, finding the complaint stemmed from a business partnership dispute rather than caste discrimination. Justice M Nagaprasanna noted that disagreements over unsigned documents with their business partner, Somashekara, led to the false complaint of caste-based abuse. The court ruled that the invocation of the Act in this context was misplaced and quashed the criminal proceedings.

#9 Supreme Court Decries ‘Gross Misuse’ in Bail Grant – 20 May 2025

The Supreme Court granted bail to a Jharkhand-based lawyer booked under the SC/ST Act for allegedly using casteist slurs against a former client. The bench of Justices B.R. Gavai and A.G. Masih observed that the case reflected a “gross misuse of the SC/ST Act.” Emphasizing the need to prevent the application of the Act in false or exaggerated cases, the court released the lawyer on bail while criticizing the weaponization of the law for purposes other than combating genuine atrocities.

#10 Service Dispute Not Caste Harassment: Karnataka HC – 14 April 2025

The Karnataka High Court quashed proceedings initiated by the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) against officials of the Mysore Education Society. Justice M. Nagaprasanna held that the NCSC had no jurisdiction to treat a service dispute—which arose from a computer technician’s transfer after a two-year leave—as a caste discrimination case. The court labeled the complaint a misuse of the SC/ST Act, clarifying that administrative transfers do not constitute atrocities.

#11 Bank Manager Case Quashed, Called Misuse – 24 January 2025

The Karnataka High Court quashed an SC/ST Act case against a private bank manager, calling it a blatant misuse of the law. The case was filed by a broker who alleged caste-based abuse during a dispute over document retrieval. Justice M G Uma found the complaint “bald” and lacking particulars, failing to show the offence was motivated by caste or committed in public view. The court held that continuing proceedings would be an abuse of the legal process.

#12 Judge Flags False Implication in SC/ST Cases – 12 January 2025

Justice Vivek Agarwal of the Madhya Pradesh High Court expressed concern over the false implication of individuals in SC/ST cases. Speaking at a workshop in Jabalpur, he stated, “Many times people are falsely implicated… Investigating officers should ensure that innocent people are not implicated in such cases and the guilty are not spared.” His remarks highlighted the judiciary’s awareness of the potential for misuse of the protective legislation.

#13 Land Dispute, Not Casteism: Rajasthan HC Drops Charges – 15 November 2024

The Rajasthan High Court dropped SC/ST Act charges against four accused in a 13-year-old case where derogatory terms were allegedly used against government officials during a land survey in 2011. Justice Birendra Kumar observed that the incident stemmed from objections to land measurement, not caste-based discrimination. The ruling underscored that context and intent are crucial for invoking the Act.

#14 Jharkhand HC Quashes Case to ‘Wreak Vengeance’ – 8 November 2024

The Jharkhand High Court quashed criminal proceedings under the SC/ST Act, noting the provisions were “grossly misused.” Justice Sanjay Kumar Dwivedi observed that the litigation was initiated to “misuse the provisions and abuse the process of law, only to wreak vengeance.” The court found the case to be of a nature that clogs the justice system and undermines the intent of the Act.

#15 Victim Admits False FIR; HC Orders Compensation Return – 23 September 2024

The Allahabad High Court quashed criminal proceedings under the SC/ST Act after the victim admitted to lodging a false FIR under pressure from villagers. Justice Manju Rani Chauhan emphasized that the Act is sometimes misused to obtain compensation and stressed the need to check complaint credibility before filing an FIR. The court directed the alleged victim to return ₹75,000 to the accused.

#16 Neighbour Dispute a ‘Gross Abuse’ of Act: Gujarat HC – 10 July 2024

The Gujarat High Court quashed SC/ST Act charges in a 2019 case involving a scuffle between neighbours in Ahmedabad. Justice Divyesh Joshi stated, “There cannot be a better case than the one on hand of gross abuse of the provisions of the Atrocities Act.” The court ruled that the dispute was personal and not motivated by the victim’s caste, highlighting the misuse of the law in private altercations.

#17 Personal Vendetta Behind FIR: Allahabad HC – 22 May 2024

The Allahabad High Court quashed an FIR under the SC/ST Act, observing that the law was being misused for personal vendetta. Justice Prashant Kumar noted that the Act, promulgated for a specific reason, was “shockingly” misused and abused by some people for personal interest. The court dismissed the proceedings against a couple accused of using caste-related slurs.

#18 Professor Fined ₹5 Lakh for False Case – 24 February 2024

The Allahabad High Court imposed a cost of ₹5 lakh on an assistant professor for filing false cases under the SC/ST Act against colleagues. Justice Prashant Kumar called it a “pure abuse of process of law” where the complainant sought to wreak personal vengeance against the head of department. The court quashed the FIR, sending a strong message against frivolous litigation.

#19 Transfer Dispute Not an Atrocity: Karnataka HC – 23 January 2024

The Karnataka High Court quashed a criminal case against the director and a professor of DIMHANS, calling the complaint a “gross misuse and abuse” of the SC/ST Act. Justice M. Nagaprasanna ruled that a service dispute over transfers and postings could not be classified as an atrocity, quashing the proceedings initiated by a professor from another institute.

#20 Fraud on Statute Must Be Curbed: P&H HC – 9 January 2024

The Punjab and Haryana High Court, in a case where witnesses retracted their statements in a murder trial, stated that the SC/ST Act was being misused. Justice Vinod S Bhardwaj emphasized that any attempt to commit fraud on the statute by making false accusations to obtain benefits should be curbed to preserve the integrity of the legal process.

#21 Private Insult Not Public Humiliation: Allahabad HC – 18 September 2023

The Allahabad High Court quashed an SC/ST case, noting that the alleged caste-based abuse occurred inside the complainant’s house. Justice Shamim Ahmed ruled that since the incident was not in a public place, it did not meet the criteria for public humiliation under the Act. The court allowed the accused’s appeal against the denial of bail.

#22 50-Year Property Dispute Leads to False Case – 8 August 2023

The Karnataka High Court quashed an SC/ST Act case against two brothers over a property dispute dating back 50 years. Justice M Nagaprasanna called it a “classic illustration of misuse” that clogs the criminal justice system. The case was filed by the son of the original property seller in an attempt to gain leverage in the long-standing civil dispute.

#23 Gujarat HC Quashes Case Against BJP Leader – 26 July 2023

The Gujarat High Court quashed a complaint filed under the SC/ST Act by one BJP member against another, who was the President of Chotila Nagarpalika. Justice Sandeep N. Bhatt emphasized that unless the investigation reveals an intention to commit an offence under the Act based on the victim’s caste, the proceedings cannot stand.

#24 Tenant’s Abuse of Act Cited in Quashing – 20 July 2023

The Karnataka High Court quashed proceedings initiated by a tenant against her landlords, citing misuse of the SC/ST Act. Justice M Nagaprasanna stated that permitting further investigation would be an “abuse of the process of law,” as the alleged abuses occurred inside the house and the case represented a classic instance of the law’s provisions being weaponized.

#25 SC Mandates Public Witness for Prosecution – 23 May 2023

The Supreme Court set a landmark precedent, ruling that a person cannot be prosecuted under the SC/ST Act if the basic ingredient of the victim being abused in public before a public witness is missing. The judgment by Justice Datta reinforced the procedural safeguards to prevent misuse for private or unsubstantiated allegations.

#26 Compensation Only on Conviction: Allahabad HC – 5 August 2022

The Allahabad High Court expressed concern over a trend where complainants under the SC/ST Act compromise with accused after receiving compensation. Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh ruled that victims are entitled to compensation only upon the conviction of the accused, not merely on the filing of an FIR or chargesheet, to deter fraudulent claims.

#27 Chhattisgarh HC on Anticipatory Bail in Misuse Cases – [Date not specified in original text, but falls within 2018-2025 period]

The Chhattisgarh High Court, in a significant observation, remarked that when an offence under the SC/ST Act appears to be a misuse of the law, the court has the power to grant anticipatory bail. Justice Deepak Kumar Tiwari granted pre-arrest bail to an accused, affirming judicial discretion in cases where the invocation of the Act seems malafide.

#28 HC Directs DGP to Curb Third-Party FIRs – 19 October 2021

The Punjab and Haryana High Court directed the Director-General of Police, Punjab, to prevent the misuse of the SC/ST Act. Justice Arvind Singh Sangwan, noting clear misuse in a case stemming from a family dispute over an inter-caste relationship, ordered that no FIR be registered at a third party’s instance without prior legal opinion confirming the complainant is a ‘victim’ as per the Act.

#29 Innocent Man Freed After 20 Years in Jail – 6 March 2021

The Allahabad High Court ordered the immediate release of Vishnu Tiwari, who had spent 20 years in jail after being wrongly convicted of rape under the SC/ST Act. The court expressed profound sadness that an innocent man was imprisoned for so long despite a lack of substantial evidence, overturning his life sentence and 10-year rape conviction.

#30 Act Can’t Be Used to Blackmail: Madras HC – 31 January 2019

The Madras High Court quashed an FIR against a former university vice-chancellor, observing that the SC/ST Act cannot be used for blackmail. Justice N. Anand Venkatesh warned that entertaining false complaints promotes caste hatred instead of blurring caste lines, defeating the very purpose of the protective legislation.

#31 SC Says Act Becoming a ‘Blackmail’ Tool – 21 March 2018

The Supreme Court observed that the SC/ST Act had become an instrument to “blackmail” innocent citizens and public servants. To curb this, the court directed that a public servant can only be arrested with the written permission of their appointing authority, introducing a safeguard against the arbitrary use of the law.

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When Radical Islamo-Leftist New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani Read 2020 Delhi Riots Accused Umar Khalid’s Prison Diary At 2023 Event

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The Commune
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When Radical Islamo-Leftist New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani Read 2020 Delhi Riots Accused Umar Khalid's Prison Diary At 2023 Event

Long before his victory in the 2025 New York City mayoral election, Zohran Mamdani, now one of the most powerful Muslim politicians in the United States, took part in a controversial anti-India event where he read a letter written by Umar Khalid, the jailed student leader and accused conspirator in the 2020 Delhi riots.

The event, titled “Howdy, Democracy?!”, was held in June 2023 in New York, just days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to Washington D.C. The programme was framed as a discussion on the “state of democracy and civil liberties in India,” featuring activists and academics known for their criticism of the Indian government.

Introducing the reading, Mamdani told the audience, “I’m going to be reading a letter from Umar Khalid, who is a scholar and a former student activist at the Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi… who organised a campaign against lynching and hate. He has been in jail for more than 1,000 days under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and has yet to face trial, though his bail application has been repeatedly denied. He has also faced an assassination attempt.”

He then proceeded to read excerpts from Khalid’s prison writings, first published in Outlook magazine. The letter, titled “The Sight of Free People,” described Khalid’s reflections while being taken to court from Delhi’s Tihar Jail and his thoughts on “reclaiming the country from the forces of hate and divisions.”

Khalid’s letter read in part: “After four months of captivity, the sight outside was more alluring for me… I could see people going to their offices and children to their schools. There were people in cars, buses, and on roads… They were free to go wherever, talk to whomever. It was a fascinating sight — the sight of free people.”

In another passage, Khalid wrote, “No tyrant lasts forever. He cannot trump the truth, and hate can never triumph over love forever.”

The reading drew applause from sections of the audience but also sharp criticism online, with commentators accusing Mamdani of glorifying an accused instigator of one of India’s most violent communal riots. Khalid, a former JNU student leader, was arrested in September 2020 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for allegedly delivering inflammatory speeches and conspiring to incite violence during the Delhi riots, which left over 50 people dead. He and the other accused Sharjeel Imam have allegedly been stalling the trial in courts, and the Supreme Court is currently hearing his plea.

Mamdani, whose father is of Gujarati origin, has been a vocal critic of Prime Minister Modi and the Indian government – he even called PM Modi a “war criminal“. Earlier this year, he courted controversy for comparing Modi to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and invoking the 2002 Gujarat riots when asked whether he would appear alongside Modi during the Indian leader’s Madison Square Garden rally.

The 2023 event and Mamdani’s participation resurfaced in public discussion after his mayoral victory, with critics alleging that his political activism has long been aligned with far-left and anti-India circles in the United States.

(Source: The Telegraph Online)

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