M.A. Kuttappan vs E. Krishnan Nayanar And Another

The Supreme Court held that the High Court erred in quashing the order of the Special Judge under Section 3(1)(x) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 and Section 7(1)(d) of the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955, which had taken cognizance of the offences based on the complainant's allegations of derogatory remarks made by the respondent against him as a member of a Scheduled Caste. The Court emphasized that the Special Judge's decision to take cognizance was justified given the seriousness of the allegations and the need to protect the rights of Scheduled Castes. The appeal was allowed, reinstating the order of the Special Judge.