LAKSHMAMMA Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This petition is filed under Section 438 of Cr.P.C seeking anticipatory bail in Crime No.147/2020 registered by the respondent - police for the offences punishable under Sections 323 , 324 , 504 and 506 read with Section 34 of IPC and Sections 3(1)(r)(s) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act , 1989 (for short, 'the SC/ST (POA) Act').

(2.) The case of the complainant was that on 01.05.2020 at about 4.15 p.m., the petitioners formed an unlawful group and went near the house of the complainant and demanded money along with interest which resulted in a quarrel between the complainant and the petitioners. It is alleged that the petitioner No.2 caught hold of the husband of the complainant and injured him with a brick and also castigated the complainant and abused the complainant and her husband by referring to their caste. Based on the complaint, the police have registered a crime and took up investigation.

(3.) Learned counsel for petitioners would submit that there was a transaction between the petitioners and the complainant in respect of the agricultural land that was owned by the complainant and that the complainant had handed over possession of the land but had unlawfully entered the land to harvest jackfruit from the tree. He contended that the complaint was designed to strong-arm the petitioners to settle the dispute relating to land.