Calcutta High Court Rules Social Media Slurs Covered Under SC/ST Act

Gist The Calcutta High Court has ruled that casteist slurs directed at marginalized communities on social media platforms fall under the ambit of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989 . The court expanded the interpretation of a "place within public view" to include the digital domain, rather than restricting it strictly to physical spaces. This judicial development is crucial for civil services aspirants as it highlights how statutory laws are being interpreted as "ongoing statutes" to adapt to technological advancements, ensuring that the legislative intent to protect vulnerable sections remains effective in the digital age. Background The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989 was enacted to prevent crimes and atrocities against members of SC and ST communities and to establish special courts for the trial of such offenses. Sections 3 1 r and 3 1 s of the Act criminalize intentional insults, intimidation, or abuse directed at an SC/ST individual in "any place within public view." To successfully invoke these sections, three legal conditions must be met: the accused…