Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: THE Supreme Court has quashed the charges framed against Anand Rai, whistleblower in the Madhya Pradesh VYAPAM examination scam, in a case over alleged castebased violence. “We have discussed the scope of the SC/ST Act and the action is not in accordance with law. Appeal allowed,” the Court observed, reported Live Law.
A Bench of Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice N Kotiswar Singh allowed Rai’s appeal against the MP High Court order upholding framing of charges in a caste-based atrocities case arising out of alleged violence and abuse against an MP, MLA and government officials during a rally. Rai is an ophthalmologist from Madhya Pradesh who is one of the whistleblowers in the VYAPAM examination scam.
The present matter arises from an incident that took place on November 15, 2022, at village Dharad in Ratlam district during a programme organised on the occasion of Birsa Munda Jayanti for the unveiling of a statue of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. According to the prosecution, members of the JAYS organisation, including Rai, intercepted and stopped the vehicles of a Member of Parliament, a Member of the Legislative Assembly, the Collector and other officials. Rai was named among approximately 40-45 persons identified in the FIR.
The Special Sessions Judge (SC/ST Act), Ratlam, framed charges against Rai. Rai challenged the framing of charges before the Madhya Pradesh High Court. However, the HC dismissed the appeal. The Supreme Court had earlier granted Rai bail in connection with the same case and subsequently stayed the trial proceedings under the SC/ST Act.
