Filing False Suit with Forged Documents Against SC/ST Person Attracts SC/ST Act: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has held that filing a false civil suit supported by forged documents against a person belonging to the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes prima facie attracts an offence under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

The Court observed that such conduct targets the dignity and rights of a marginalised person, and when malicious intent, forgery, and abuse of the process of law are apparent, the SC/ST Act is triggered.

Emphasising the protective purpose of the statute, the Court noted that malicious litigation backed by fabricated evidence undermines social justice and constitutes a punishable act under Section 31Q of the Act.