Supreme Court curbs powers of SC panel, says it can’t pass adjudicatory orders

Supreme Court ruled that the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) is a recommendatory and advisory body, not an adjudicatory one.

NCSC cannot pass binding adjudicatory orders in service-related matters; it can only send recommendations to state or central government.

The commission can inquire into complaints and record factual findings but lacks the power to make final orders.

The ruling may impact other statutory and constitutional bodies like those for women, minorities, and backward classes.

The bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and Augustine George Masih clarified that NCSC's role is limited and not meant to take over adjudicatory functions.