In a precedent-setting verdict, a special court in Lucknow has sentenced advocate Lakhan Singh to 10 years and 6 months of rigorous imprisonment for repeatedly abusing the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act by filing a series of false First Information Reports (FIRs). The court also imposed a fine of ₹2.51 lakh on Singh.
Misuse of Legal Provisions Uncovered
The judgment, delivered by Special Judge Vivekanand Sharan Tripathi, came after it was revealed that Singh had orchestrated around 20 fake cases under the SC/ST Act against a wide range of individuals, including private citizens, police officers, bureaucrats, and journalists. The court observed that Singh, despite being an officer of the court, had manipulated the justice system for personal or professional gain.
Sharp Rebuke from the Bench
Condemning the actions of the lawyer, Judge Tripathi remarked that Singh had “maligned a responsible profession like advocacy” and had “shaken the foundation of faith in the judicial process.” The court criticized Singh’s conduct as a blatant misuse of legal protections meant to safeguard the vulnerable, noting that his actions had turned the courtroom into a “factory of false litigations.”
The judge emphasized the fundamental principle of criminal jurisprudence—“It is better that a hundred guilty persons escape than that one innocent suffer”—which Singh’s actions had directly violated.
Legal Charges and Sentencing Breakdown
Singh was found guilty under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC):
- Section 182 (Providing false information to public servants): 6 months’ simple imprisonment and a ₹1,000 fine
- Section 193 (Giving false evidence): 3 years’ rigorous imprisonment and a ₹50 fine
- Section 211 (Filing false charges to cause legal harm): 7 years’ rigorous imprisonment and a ₹1,000 fine
The court ordered that the sentences be served consecutively, resulting in a total of 10 years and 6 months in prison.
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