In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court has granted anticipatory bail to Shajan Scaria, editor of *Marunadan Malayali*, in a case filed under the SC/ST Act. The Court’s decision marks a significant development in the interpretation of the Act.The Supreme Court clarified that there is no absolute prohibition on granting anticipatory bail under the SC/ST Act. It emphasized that not every instance of intentional insult or intimidation directed at a member of a Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) community equates to caste-based humiliation. The Bench underscored that anticipatory bail is a crucial aspect of personal liberty, stating, “Anticipatory bail is an important concomitant of the personal liberty of the individual.” This ruling reflects a nuanced approach to the application of the SC/ST Act, aiming to balance individual freedoms with protections against discrimination.The decision is poised to impact how anticipatory bail applications are handled in cases involving the SC/ST Act, potentially setting a precedent for future legal interpretations and proceedings.