In Brief
A Director of Technical Education rejected a sanction to prosecute two officers for alleged atrocities against an SC/ST employee. The employee then filed a false FIR against the Director. The Supreme Court held that the Atrocities Act cannot be misused for personal vengeance. While reaffirming the Act's protective purpose, the Court clarified that Section 18 (barring anticipatory bail) applies only when a prima facie case is made out; where allegations are patently false or mala fide, no arrest may be made without prior written permission from the appointing authority or SSP, with recorded reasons subject to Magistrate's scrutiny. A preliminary enquiry is required to filter frivolous complaints. The judgment balances protection of SC/ST communities with safeguards against false implications.
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