SAMPATH Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is an appeal against the conviction of the accused under Section 3 (1)(x) of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Atrocities Prevention) of Act 1989 (hereinafter referred to as the Act) and sentenced them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months and imposed fine of Rs.100/- to each accused, in default to undergo simple imprisonment for a week. If the fine amount is collected, Rs.200/- will be paid as compensation to P.W.1 Raji.

(2.) The case of the prosecution is that on 18.8.1992, P.W.2 Palani had gone to Samraj's lands to do his agricultural work. On that day at about 5.00 p.m. P.W.3 Ammasi and one Periasami came to the house of P.W.1 Raji for the purpose of fixing Palani (P.W.2) to do some agricultural work in their lands on the next day. Since P.W.2 Palani was not there, P.W.3 Ammasi and Periasami were chatting with Raji. P.W.1 Raji had collected coconut fibres from the lands of her employer Samraj and she had spread them in front of her house for drying. Accused 1 to 4 came to the house of Raji and questioned her as to where from she had stolen the coconut fibre. When P.W.1 Raji replied that she had picked them from the lands of Samraj, A1 scolded her mentioning the name of the caste. Therefore, a complaint was given under Section 3 (1)(x)of the Act.

(3.) Learned Sessions Judge took the cognizance of the offence and framed charges and proceeded with trial and found the accused guilty of the offence and imposed a sentence of rigorous imprisonment for six months and a fine of Rs.100/-to each accused, in default to undergo simple imprisonment for a week.