JOSEPH Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is an appeal filed under Sec. 14-A of the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (hereinafter referred to as 'SC/ST Act' for short) and the appellant is the sole accused in Crime No.758 of 2022 of Kuthiathod Police Station. Respondents are the State of Kerala as well as the defacto complainant.

(2.) In this matter though notice was served upon the defacto complainant, as submitted by the learned Public Prosecutor, the defacto complainant did not appear.

(3.) Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner as well as the learned Public Prosecutor.