New Delhi, May 6 (PTI) Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Wednesday welcomed a recent Supreme Court order that struck down “discriminatory” bail conditions imposed by Odisha courts, mandating accused Dalits and Adivasis to clean police stations.
In an X post, CPI(M) General Secretary M A Baby described the apex court’s intervention as “appreciable” and also raised concerns over lower courts enforcing such orders.
“The Supreme Court order invalidating discriminatory bail conditions imposed by the high court and trial courts in Odisha — forcing Dalit-Adivasi accused to clean police stations — is appreciable,” he said.
Baby said it was “deeply concerning” that courts entrusted with upholding constitutional values were instead passing orders that violated the fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14 (equality before law), 17 (abolition of untouchability), and 21 (right to life and dignity).
He alleged that such “degrading and humiliating” bail conditions were imposed on individuals linked to protests against the Vedanta mining project, which local communities claim threatens their land and livelihoods.
“The state judiciary was effectively criminalising marginalised communities for asserting their constitutional rights,” he said, also questioning the delay in the apex court’s intervention.
“Such grave lapses are unacceptable. Courts must inspire confidence among those who seek justice. Are they doing that?” he asked.
Earlier this week, the Supreme Court strongly criticised Odisha courts for imposing “regressive”, “degrading” and “abhorrent” bail conditions on Dalit and Adivasi accused. It declared the orders “null and void” and cautioned courts nationwide against issuing similar directions.
A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi underscored that such bail conditions reflect entrenched caste bias and run counter to the constitutional vision of a casteless society. PTI AO RUK RUK
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