Karnataka HC Grants Anticipatory Bail To Accused In Manual Scavenging, SC/ST Act Case, Citing Completed Probe

A complaint led to registration of Crime No. 254/2026 against the appellant under Section 8 of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, and Section 271 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

During investigation, Section 3(1)(j) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, as amended in 2015, was also included in the charge sheet.

After the Sessions Court rejected his bail application, the appellant appealed under Section 14A(2) of the SC/ST Act.

Whether the appellant should be granted bail after the addition of an offence under Section 3(1)(j) of the SC/ST Act.

Whether the completion of investigation and the absence of a need for custodial interrogation supported release on bail.

The appeal was brought under Section 14A(2) of the SC/ST Act, and the bail application was considered under Section 482 of the BNSS, 2023, as stated in the judgment.

The Court treated the offences under Section 8 of the 2013 Act and Section 271 of the BNS as bailable, and noted that investigation was complete and custodial interrogation was unnecessary.

The Court noted that the SC/ST Act provision had been added during investigation, rather than at the time of the FIR.

It then relied on the bailable character of the original offences, the completion of investigation, and the lack of any need for custodial interrogation to conclude that detention would serve no purpose.

The Court did not separately assess the appellant’s arguments concerning the ingredients of Section 3(1)(j), delay in the FIR, or the statutory treatment of the alleged work.

It directed that the appellant be released on bail, in the event of arrest in Crime No. 254/2026, upon executing a self-bond of ₹1,00,000 with one surety for the like amount, subject to conditions against witness tampering or threats, mandatory court appearances, and refraining from similar offences.