In Brief
Kiran, a member of the Matang Scheduled Caste community, filed an FIR against Jain community members for caste-based abuse, assault, and intimidation following an assembly election. The accused used casteist slurs ("Mangtyano"), beat him with iron rods, and threatened arson, allegedly in retaliation for not voting as directed. The Additional Sessions Judge denied anticipatory bail, but the High Court granted it. The Supreme Court set aside the High Court's order and cancelled the bail, holding that Section 18 of the SC/ST Act creates an absolute bar to anticipatory bail when a prima facie case of caste atrocities is disclosed. The High Court erred by conducting a mini-trial through witness analysis rather than examining the FIR at first blush.
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