STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH vs MOHAN SINGH

The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's decision that the special remission granted under Section 432(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure to prisoners belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, while denying it to others, violated the right to equality under Article 14 of the Constitution. The Court found that the classification based on caste and race was not justified under Article 15(4) as it did not serve the purpose of advancement. Consequently, the Court directed the State to extend the same special remission benefits to all prisoners, regardless of caste or tribe.