If a government official or police officer humiliates you or someone else in public, it is a punishable offence. Here is how to use the SC/ST Act and BNS to fight back.
Imagine you are in Nabarangpur, Odisha, or any town where a local official—maybe a Forest Range Officer or a Police Babu—decides you have stepped out of line. Instead of following the law, they decide to "teach you a lesson" by forcing you to do sit-ups (uth-baith) in the middle of the street while they record it on their phone. They mock your background, your community, or your clothes. This isn't just a bad day; it is a serious criminal offence. No official has the right to strip you of your dignity. Whether it happens to you or you witness it happening to a tribal brother or a Dalit friend, you have the legal firepower to ensure that official loses more than just their temper.
Public humiliation is often used as a tool of social control, especially against those from Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities. But in 2026, the law is clear: dignity is not a luxury; it is a fundamental right. If you have the "receipts" (videos and witnesses), you can move the machinery of justice to hold them accountable. This guide shows you how to transition from being a victim of a power trip to a protagonist in a legal battle.
The Indian legal system has specific shields against public humiliation, especially when it is motivated by caste or tribal identity.
If the victim belongs to an SC or ST community and the perpetrator does not, this is your primary weapon. Under Section 3(1)(r), anyone who intentionally insults or intimidates with intent to humiliate a member of a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe in any place within "public view" can be punished with imprisonment for up to five years.
Furthermore, Section 3(1)(s) criminalises abusing any member of these communities by caste name in public. The Supreme Court in Hitesh Verma v. State of Uttarakhand (2020) clarified that "public view" means the incident must be witnessed by independent persons, not just the victim and the accused. If an official does this in a market, a police station, or on a busy road, the law is squarely on your side.
If the perpetrator is a government official, Section 198 of the BNS (which replaced Section 166 of the IPC) applies. It punishes a public servant who knowingly disobeys a direction of the law, intending to cause injury to any person. "Injury" here includes harm to reputation and mental agony. Additionally, Section 352 of the BNS (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) can be invoked if the humiliation is meant to provoke a reaction.
Article 21 of the Constitution of India guarantees the Right to Life, which the Supreme Court has repeatedly held includes the Right to Dignity. In the landmark case of Lalita Kumari v. Govt. of U.P. (2014), the Court made it mandatory for the police to register an FIR if the complaint discloses a cognizable offence (which SC/ST Act violations are). If a police officer refuses to register your FIR, they are themselves committing an offence under Section 199 of the BNS.
Under the SC/ST Rules, victims of public humiliation are entitled to monetary compensation. As of current norms, relief for "Insult, intimidation and humiliation" (Annexure-I of the Rules) can range from ₹25,000 to ₹1 lakh or more, depending on the severity and the state government's specific notifications. You do not need a conviction to get the first installment of this relief; the registration of an FIR and the filing of a charge sheet are often sufficient triggers.
When the adrenaline is high and you feel humiliated, it is easy to react with anger. Don't. React with a process. Here is how to systematically dismantle an official's power trip.
In cases of public humiliation, the burden of proof often rests on "who saw what."
Go to the nearest police station. If the victim is SC/ST, it is best to go to the Special SC/ST Police Station (often located at the District Headquarters) or the Human Rights Protection Cell (HRPC) in Odisha.
If the local police station refuses to register the FIR because the accused is a "big official," use Section 173(4) of the BNSS.
If the police investigation is slow or biased, bring in the big guns.
You do not need to spend lakhs on a lawyer. Under the Legal Services Authorities Act, members of SC/ST communities are entitled to free legal aid regardless of their income.
If the case goes cold, use the Right to Information Act.
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The law looks great on paper, but on the ground in places like Nabarangpur or Mayurbhanj, the "system" often protects its own. Here is where your fight might hit a wall and how to climb over it:
The "Brotherhood" Refusal: If you go to a thana to report a police officer or a fellow local official, the duty officer might refuse to file the FIR. They will call it a "minor misunderstanding" or pressure you to "settle" (compromise).
The "Not Public Enough" Excuse: Cops might claim that since the humiliation happened inside a cabin or a quiet corner, it doesn't count as "within public view" under the SC/ST Act.
The Vanishing Footage: If the official recorded the act on their phone, they will likely delete it once they realise you are taking legal action.
Pressure to Withdraw: You might get "visits" from local leaders asking you to drop the case "for the sake of peace."
"Namaskar. I am here to file an FIR under Section 3(1)(r) of the SC/ST Act and Section 198 of the BNS. [Official Name/Designation] forced [Victim Name] to do sit-ups in public view at [Location] on [Date] at [Time]. This was done to humiliate them because of their caste/identity. Here is the written complaint. Please give me my free copy of the FIR as per Section 173 of the BNSS."
To, The Superintendent of Police, [District Name], Odisha.
Subject: Complaint under Section 173(3) of BNSS regarding public humiliation of a member of the [SC/ST] community.
Sir/Madam, I am writing to report an incident that occurred on [Date] at [Time] near [Location]. [Official Name/Description], acting in their capacity as [Designation], intentionally insulted and humiliated [Victim Name] by [describe the act, e.g., forcing them to do sit-ups/kneel/using slurs] in full view of the public.
This act constitutes a cognizable offence under Section 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, and Section 198 of the BNS, 2023. The local police station [Name of PS] refused to register my FIR on [Date].
I request you to direct the registration of an FIR and ensure the protection of the victim and witnesses as per Section 15A of the SC/ST Act.
Attached: [Video link/Witness list/Copy of refused complaint]
Regards, [Your Name & Phone Number]
You can email [email protected] with a simple subject line: "Urgent: Complaint against [Official Name] for violation of human dignity." Attach the same details as the SP complaint.
1. What if I don't belong to the SC/ST community? Can I still fight? Yes. While the SC/ST Act won't apply, you can still file a case under Section 198 of the BNS (Public servant disobeying law) and Section 352 of the BNS (Intentional insult to provoke breach of peace). Every citizen has a Right to Dignity under Article 21.
2. Is there a fee for filing this case or getting compensation? No. Filing an FIR is free. Applying for legal aid through the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) is also free for SC/ST victims and anyone earning less than the state-specified limit (usually ₹3 lakh per annum in Odisha).
3. How long does it take to get the compensation money? According to Rule 12(4) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Rules, the relief amount should be sanctioned within 7 days of the FIR being registered. In reality, it may take 30–60 days. If delayed, you can file an RTI with the District Social Welfare Office.
4. Can the official be arrested immediately? For offences under the SC/ST Act, there is no "automatic" arrest, but the police can arrest them if they believe the official might intimidate witnesses. Note that "Anticipatory Bail" is generally barred under Section 18 of the SC/ST Act, making it harder for the official to avoid custody.
5. What if I don't have a video of the incident? Video is "gold," but not the only way. The testimony of independent witnesses (shopkeepers, bystanders, other office visitors) is sufficient. The court values the oral evidence of the victim highly in these cases.
6. I am a student; will filing a case ruin my career? No. Being a victim or a complainant in a criminal case does not affect your ability to get a government job or a passport. In fact, standing up against illegal orders shows civic character. Only a conviction against you affects your record, not you seeking justice.
7. Who do I call if I'm being threatened to drop the case? Call the 112 emergency helpline immediately. You can also contact the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) or Scheduled Tribes (NCST) via their online portals; they have the power to summon any official in India.
Yes. While the SC/ST Act won't apply, you can still file a case under **Section 198 of the BNS** (Public servant disobeying law) and **Section 352 of the BNS** (Intentional insult to provoke breach of peace). Every citizen has a Right to Dignity under Article 21.
No. Filing an FIR is free. Applying for legal aid through the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) is also free for SC/ST victims and anyone earning less than the state-specified limit (usually ₹3 lakh per annum in Odisha).
According to Rule 12(4) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Rules, the relief amount should be sanctioned within **7 days** of the FIR being registered. In reality, it may take 30–60 days. If delayed, you can file an RTI with the District Social Welfare Office.
For offences under the SC/ST Act, there is no "automatic" arrest, but the police can arrest them if they believe the official might intimidate witnesses. Note that "Anticipatory Bail" is generally barred under Section 18 of the SC/ST Act, making it harder for the official to avoid custody.
Video is "gold," but not the only way. The testimony of independent witnesses (shopkeepers, bystanders, other office visitors) is sufficient. The court values the oral evidence of the victim highly in these cases.
No. Being a victim or a complainant in a criminal case does not affect your ability to get a government job or a passport. In fact, standing up against illegal orders shows civic character. Only a *conviction* against *you* affects your record, not you seeking justice.
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