(1.) Heard Mrs. Pinto, learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing on behalf of the State and Mr. Usgaonkar, learned Counsel appearing on behalf of the respondent no. 5.
(2.) This is a State appeal against acquittal of respondents no. 1 and 5 above-named, vide judgment and order dated 24.01.2012, passed by the learned Judicial Magistrate, First Class at Mapusa (J.M.F.C., for short) in O. A. Criminal Case No. 10/1997 (old) : O. A. Criminal Case No. 250/1999/D (new).
(3.) For convenience, the parties shall hereinafter be referred to as arrayed before the Magistrate.