Kerala HC Refuses to Quash Atrocities Case Against Principal who said Dalit Teacher had "Manufacturing Defect"

The Kerala High Court declined to quash an SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act case against Dr. C.M. Kusuman, a college principal accused of calling a Dalit faculty member a “manufacturing defect” during a staff meeting.

Justice V.G. Arun held that such remarks, though subtle, can have a deep impact and must be examined in the social context. 

The Court said questions of intent and whether the comment was made in “public view” are issues for trial, not for quashing at the pre-trial stage.

The case arises from a 2022 complaint by Assistant Professor Hiran M. Prakash.