Supreme Court Grants Anticipatory Bail to Sidhan in Assault Case. Absence of Caste-Based Allegations Leads to Reversal of High Court's Decision
In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court of India has granted anticipatory bail to Sidhan @ Sidharathan in a case involving allegations of assault, overturning a previous decision by the High Court of Kerala. The decision, dated October 31, 2025, was delivered by Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria.
Sidhan faced charges under sections 126(2), 118(1), 296(a), and 110 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, following an incident on April 16, 2025, where he allegedly assaulted the complainant, resulting in serious bleeding injuries. The High Court had initially rejected his plea for anticipatory bail due to the incorporation of provisions from the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, which typically bars anticipatory bail under Section 18.
However, upon review, the Supreme Court found that the initial complaint did not include any allegations of caste slurs or discrimination, a critical factor that would justify invoking the SC/ST Act. The court noted that the complainant was under the influence of alcohol during the incident and the injuries sustained were simple in nature. This absence of caste-based allegations led the Supreme Court to conclude that the provisions of the SC/ST Act were erroneously applied by the police, influencing the High Court's decision.
The Supreme Court's ruling emphasized the importance of adhering strictly to statutory provisions and ensuring that charges are not inflated without basis. The bench remarked that the zeal of the jurisdictional police to incorporate the SC/ST Act provisions was misplaced, and the mind of the High Court was swayed by this without due cause.
Sidhan is now set to be released on anticipatory bail, subject to terms and conditions determined by the jurisdictional Investigating Officer. This decision highlights the judiciary's role in safeguarding individual rights against misapplication of laws and underscores the necessity for meticulous scrutiny of allegations before denying anticipatory bail.
Bottom Line:
Grant of anticipatory bail in a case involving allegations of assault and subsequent injuries, with consideration of the nature of injuries and absence of caste-based allegations under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
Statutory provision(s): Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 Sections 126(2), 118(1), 296(a), 110; Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 Section 18.
Sidhan @ Sidharathan v. State of Kerala, (SC) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2803702
