Overview
- The bench of Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav dismissed the accused’s appeal under Section 14-A(1) seeking to quash cognizance and summoning orders.
- The court directed a Dalit woman and her two daughters-in-law to return ₹4.5 lakh received under the SC/ST compensation scheme after they later retracted their complaints.
- The 19 accused were ordered to deposit ₹5 lakh as costs with the High Court Welfare Fund within 20 days, with coercive recovery authorized in case of default.
- Prosecutors produced a written complaint, Section 161 and 164 CrPC statements, and medical reports that contradicted the complainant’s claim that her thumb impression was taken on blank paper.
- The Special Judge (SC/ST Act), Prayagraj, was told to continue the trial in accordance with law, unaffected by the High Court’s observations or the complainant’s recantation.