Lucknow, May 2025 — In a significant judgment that underscores the seriousness of misusing protective laws, a Lucknow court has sentenced a lawyer to over a decade in prison for filing false cases under the SC/ST Act. Special Judge of the SC/ST Court, Vivekanand Sharan Tripathi, delivered the ruling against advocate Lakhan Singh, who was found guilty of repeatedly abusing legal provisions for personal gain.
Heavy Sentence for Legal Misconduct
The court sentenced Lakhan Singh to 10 years and 6 months of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of ₹2.51 lakh, citing his repeated filing of fictitious FIRs and deliberate misuse of judicial procedures. In a strongly worded judgment, Judge Tripathi condemned the advocate’s actions, stating, “You have tarnished the integrity of a responsible profession and turned the court into a factory of falsehoods.”
A Pattern of Deceit and Fabrication
The judge noted that Lakhan Singh regularly appeared in court with fabricated documents and concocted stories to file fraudulent cases, especially under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. “Such actions erode public trust in the justice system,” the court observed. “When lawyers themselves exploit the law, the entire legal fraternity suffers.”
False Case in Land Dispute
One of the cases that led to this sentence involved a land dispute over approximately five bighas with individuals named Sunil Dubey and Ramchandra. Lakhan Singh falsely accused them under attempt to murder charges and the SC/ST Act, claiming they assaulted him. However, during the police investigation, location data and witness statements proved that the accused were not present at the alleged crime scene. Further evidence revealed that the actual incident was a minor road accident, which had been amicably settled at the time.
History of False Allegations
According to Special Public Prosecutor Arvind Mishra, Lakhan Singh—himself a member of a Scheduled Caste—has a documented history of exploiting the SC/ST Act for personal vendettas. Over the years, he has lodged more than 20 false complaints against various individuals, including repeated cases against Sunil Dubey. Most of these were closed following police investigations that revealed no merit in the allegations.
In fact, Lakhan Singh is already in judicial custody in connection with other serious charges, including fraud, rape, and criminal conspiracy, some of which are still under trial.
Court Recommends Bar Suspension and Refund of Benefits
The judgment has been forwarded to the Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh, the District Magistrate, and the Police Commissioner of Lucknow, with recommendations that Lakhan Singh be suspended from legal practice. The court also directed that if any government compensation or relief was granted to him on the basis of false SC/ST claims, the amount should be recovered from him.
Legal Community Responds
The ruling has sent shockwaves through the legal community, with senior lawyers and legal experts lauding the court for taking a firm stand against legal malpractice. “This verdict will serve as a deterrent to others who think they can manipulate the law for personal motives,” said one senior advocate at the Lucknow High Court.
Conclusion
The verdict not only punishes a rogue lawyer but also sets a precedent against the misuse of protective legislation meant for historically marginalized communities. As the judiciary seeks to balance protection with accountability, this ruling sends a strong message: the law cannot be weaponized for personal gain—and those who try will face the consequences.
