NAVEEN P.M. Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is an appeal filed under Sec. 14-A of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The challenge in this appeal is to the order dtd. 21/8/2024 in Crl.M.C.No.2305/2024 passed by the Court of Special Judge for the Trial of Offences under SC/ST (POA) AC, 1989, Ernakulam.

(2.) The appellant is sole accused in Crime No.702/2024 of Njarakkal Police Station. He is alleged to have committed offences punishable under Sec. 376(1) of the IPC and Sec. 3(2)(va) of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act (for short 'the SC/ST (POA) Act').

(3.) The appellant is not a member of Scheduled Caste or Schedule Tribe. The victim is a member of Scheduled Caste. The victim, who is a 19 years old girl, got acquainted with the appellant while she was studying in a Technical Institute at Koonammavu. The appellant knew that she belongs to Scheduled Caste. On 11/11/2023, the appellant brought the victim to the residence of his friend Adharsh and indulged in sexual relationship with her after promising that he would marry her. She became pregnant and delivered a child. Though the fact that victim became pregnant in the sexual connection with the appellant was informed to him by her, he did not respond.