The Madhya Pradesh High Court recently declined to grant anticipatory bail to two journalists accused of assaulting a woman teacher and calling her ‘chindi chor’ or petty thief in a news report about her [Mukesh Kumawat v State of Madhya Pradesh and Others].
Justice Gajendra Singh said the intention of humiliation or insult was prima facie present in the case involving the woman teacher belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) category.
“The intention can be inferred from the surrounding circumstances and appellants claim that they are journalists (though police station Sardarpur, Dhar has reported that they are not recognized in M.P) and they publish news in Dainik Sach Media newspaper published from Jodhpur dated 26.03.2025. The news article was published with the reference of appellant Mahesh Kumawat in which respondent No.2 was described as "Chindi Chor." The word "Chindi Chor" if translated means "petty thief" or "myserly thief." Accordingly, the intention of humiliation or insult of respondent No.2 is inferred and the contents of the First Information Report are not such that the test of prima facie case is not satisfied,” the Court said.
In the case dating back to March, the accused Mukesh Kumawat and Mohit Jat had allegedly questioned the teacher during an examination for classifying a student as “private” over shortage of attendance.
The accused, who introduced themselves as journalists, were stopped from filming the examination.
They then left the school premises but later allegedly assaulted the teacher when she was on way to her house. The accused also allegedly blackmailed her and used casteist slurs against her.
However, the accused argued before the Court that a false case was registered against them since they had gone to the school to cover a story regarding illegal recovery of money from the students.
The State counsel opposed the plea arguing that the bar under Section 18 of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) (SC/ST) against grant of anticipatory bail was applicable in the case since a prima facie case was made out against the accused.
It was also submitted that Jat’s complaint against the teacher was enquired into and nothing was found against her.
Considering the submissions and record, the Court found that a prima facie case was made out against the accused and dismissed the appeals for anticipatory bail.
“Appellants do not belong to SC or ST category. Respondent No.2 has filed the complaint disclosing her caste that falls within the Scheduled Caste category and the caste of appellants that certainly does not fall within the purview of SC or ST category,” it said.
Advocate Mayank Mishra represented the accused.
Government Advocate Rajendra Singh Suryavanshi appeared for the State of Madhya Pradesh.
[Read Order]