Can't bring marital discord under atrocity law: Telangana HC

HYDERABAD: Stating that marital discord within the confines of a warring couple's home cannot be brought under the purview of the atrocity law, Telangana HC has quashed the criminal proceedings against a woman and her father under SC & ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2015, pending before a Rangareddy district and sessions judge, reports Sagar Kumar Mutha.

Allowing the woman's petition, Justice E V Venugopal held that allegations made against her and her family by her husband did not attract provisions of sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s) of the SC/ST Act, as the alleged caste-based insults were made within a private setting and not in public view - a necessary condition for prosecution under the said law.

Justice Venugopal, after examining material on record & arguments of all parties, ruled that no prima facie case was made out. Invoking inherent powers of HC under CrPC section 482, the judge quashed case against woman & her father. The court noted accusations lacked specific details regarding the alleged humiliation - such as time, place, & witnesses - and occurred entirely within the confines of a home.