Gavai Calls for Safeguards Against SC ST Act Misuse

Former Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai said the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act serves an important purpose, but instances of misuse can occur and should be addressed through appropriate safeguards. He said that if stronger measures are considered necessary to prevent misuse, Parliament, rather than the judiciary, should amend the law. Gavai also said alleged misuse is rare and should not be a reason to scrap the Act.

Gavai suggested that Parliament could consider stricter penalties for deliberately false complaints. His comments come amid a wider debate over the Act and the safeguards available in individual cases. The Supreme Court has, in separate cases, applied existing legal safeguards while examining allegations under the Act. For instance, in May 2026, the court held that certain offences under the law require the alleged caste-based abuse to have occurred within public view.