Allahabad HC Rejects Plea to Withdraw SC/ST Case, Orders Trial to Proceed

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In a significant ruling, the Allahabad High Court has dismissed an appeal seeking the withdrawal of a case lodged under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The appeal was filed by Chhote Lal Kushwaha and three others, who were accused of cheating and caste-based abuses. The court observed that the trial court had meticulously examined the evidence and rejected the application for withdrawal of prosecution. The judge noted that the public prosecutor's decision to seek withdrawal of the case did not bind the court, especially in cases under the SC/ST Act. The court cited a Supreme Court ruling that withdrawal of prosecution is permissible only when the public prosecutor acts independently and in good faith, and the court ensures that the withdrawal is in the public interest. In this case, the court directed the trial court to conclude the proceedings within six months, as the trial has been pending since 2020. The accused allegedly cheated a woman by taking ₹80,000 for arranging a visa and employment in Qatar, but failed to deliver. The woman was later subjected to caste-based abuses and intimidation. The investigating officer filed a charge sheet against the accused, and the trial is now expected to proceed.