Overview
- The two-judge bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and N Kotiswar Singh found the facts on record did not disclose offences under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
- The Court set aside the Ratlam special court’s March 18, 2025 order framing SC/ST Act charges and ended the trial that had been stayed since July 2025.
- The case arose from a November 15, 2022 event in Dharad, Ratlam, where an FIR named about 40–45 people, including Rai, over alleged obstruction of officials and a scuffle with police.
- Rai’s lawyers argued the complaint lacked caste-specific insult or intent required by the Act and that the investigation violated Rule 7 by being led by an officer below DSP rank.
- The ruling overturns the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s July 3, 2025 decision upholding the charges against Rai, a doctor known for exposing the Vyapam admissions scam.