Delhi HC Fines Litigant Rs 10K for Misusing SC/ST Victim Compensation Scheme

The Delhi High Court has recently imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on a litigant for misusing and abusing the Victim Compensation Scheme under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, commonly known as the SC/ST Act.

A division Bench comprising Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela was dealing with an appeal filed by Balbir Meena, challenging a Single Judge’s order which had dismissed his plea seeking compensation under the Act on the ground that the appellant and the accused had amicably settled the matter.

Meena had registered a First Information Report (FIR) under the SC/ST Act and subsequently filed for compensation. However, the authorities had sanctioned him only Rs 10,000. The appellant then challenged this order before the Single Judge, which was dismissed. He therefore filed the present appeal.

Appearing for the appellant, Advocate Shivam Bajaj submitted that the appellant was entitled to stage-wise compensation and had received only Rs 10,000 out of the Rs 4,15,000 to which he was entitled, as per the Rules. Accordingly, the appellant prayed that he be granted 75% of Rs 4,15,000.

The State, on the other hand, submitted that the appellant had settled the matter, and the FIR was quashed. The FIR pertained to the same person as in 2014, in which the appellant had already received Rs 2,40,000.

Upholding the Single Judge’s order, the High Court said, "These instances raise grave doubts about the authenticity and veracity of the appellant’s version. In these circumstances, we are of the opinion that suitable costs ought to be imposed against the appellant so as to deter him and others from misusing and abusing the Victim Compensation Scheme formulated under the Act."

Accordingly, the Court imposed a cost of Rs 10,000 upon the appellant, to be deposited within two weeks with the Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee.

Case Title: Balbir Meena vs. State Govt. of NCT of Delhi & Ors.

Order Date: 14 July 2025

Bench: Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela