SC Nixes Odisha’s ‘Odious’ Bail Conditions to Adivasi, Dalit Accused to Clean Police Stations
The court said the orders violated dignity and equality and directed all High Courts to ensure immediate compliance.
- On Monday, The Supreme Court declared bail conditions requiring accused persons to clean police stations "null and void," ruling that such "caste-coloured and oppressive conditions" must not be imposed by any court in India.
- Addressing Odisha Advocate General Pitambar Acharya, the bench scrutinized a May 28, 2025, Odisha High Court order requiring an applicant to clean the Kashipur police station for two months, a practice affecting Dalit and Adivasi accused.
- Terming these orders "obnoxious" and reflective of "caste bias," the court warned they bring a bad name to the judiciary. The bench added requirements were "abhorrent, cruel, and degrading."
- The apex court took suo motu cognisance after finding similar conditions in seven other Odisha trial court orders, observing that such requirements are not imposed on accused from privileged sections of society.
- Reminding courts of their duty to "zealously protect those who are most vulnerable," the bench directed The Registry to circulate this order to every High Court in the country for immediate compliance.
12 Articles
12 Articles
The Supreme Court on Monday (May 4, 2026) strongly criticized the courts in Odisha for imposing derogatory conditions on members of Scheduled Tribes, such as cleaning police stations. The court declared such derogatory bail conditions, imposed by the Orissa High Court and upheld by the Sessions Court, invalid. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi urged all courts in the country to refrain from imposing such co…
Supreme Court quashes Odisha bail orders mandating cleaning of police stations, slams ‘caste bias’
The Supreme Court has warned the judiciary against "caste-biased" practices after finding that only activists from marginalised communities were ordered to perform menial labour as a condition for bail in Odisha.
The Supreme Court on Monday (May 4, 2026) strongly criticized the courts in Odisha for imposing derogatory conditions on members of Scheduled Tribes, such as cleaning police stations. The court declared such derogatory bail conditions, imposed by the Orissa High Court and upheld by the Sessions Court, invalid. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi urged all courts in the country to refrain from imposing such con…
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