BJP MP Dharmapuri Arvind has been directed by the single bench of Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan to face trial in a case registered against him in Madannapet police station, Hyderabad under the SC, ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The Chief Justice vacated his earlier order dated January 5, 2022, which had directed the police not to take any coercive action against the Nizamabad MP.
The case was registered after Bangaru Sailoo, a social worker from Nizamabad, lodged a complaint on January 1, 2022, alleging that the MP had made derogatory comments against SCs and STs by uttering the word “Lottapisu” during a press conference on October 31, 2021. The MP had made these comments after meeting with Teenmar Mallanna in front of Chanchalguda Jail.
The Chief Justice had earlier advised MP Arvind to be more careful during public meetings and avoid using such words. During the press conference, Arvind had spoken about the bogus SC, ST cases registered against many persons and had referred to SC ST cases as “Lotta Peesu Casulu”. He had filed a criminal petition in the High Court seeking quashing of the FIR.
Upon the request of Arvind’s counsel, the Chief Justice kept Friday’s order in abeyance for 30 days to allow the petitioner to avail alternate remedy.
