Casteist Slurs in Private Settlement Not an Offence Under SC/ST Act: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court quashed a case under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, ruling that casteist slurs hurled within the four walls of a private house do not constitute an offence under the Act. 

The Bench held that for an offence under Section 3(1)(r) or 3(1)(s) to be made out, the incident must occur in a "place within public view" or exposed to public gaze.

Since the FIR indicated the alleged abuse occurred inside a residential premises inaccessible to the public, the essential legal ingredients were missing, rendering the proceedings unsustainable.

[Gunjan @ Girija Kumari & Ors. v. State (NCT of Delhi) & Anr.]