The Allahabad High Court has held that dissatisfaction with a police investigation, without more, cannot establish “wilful neglect” of official duties under section 4 of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The court said liability requires identification of a specific statutory duty and evidence that a public servant deliberately failed to perform it. The Act also contemplates an administrative inquiry and recommendation before criminal action is pursued for such neglect.
In its 13 October 2026 decision, the court found no material demonstrating an intentional breach by the investigating officers. It dismissed the complainant’s appeal and affirmed the Special Judge’s refusal to proceed against them. A copy of the order was directed to be transmitted within 48 hours.