(1.) THIS appeal under Section 374 of the Code of Criminal procedure is preferred by Al, A2, A4 to a6 against the judgment dated 18. 9. 2006 passed in SC ST SC No. 32/2005 on the file of Special Judge for SC and ST (POA) Act-cum-VI Additional District and Sessions judge, Kurnool.
(2.) THE appellants/a 1, A2, A4 to A6 along with A3 who were tried for the offences punishable under Section 302 IPC, alternatively, under Section 3 (2) (v) of scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (for short "the Act") and 148 IPC. The learned trial Court convicted the appellants for the offence under Section 3 (2) (v) of the Act and Section 148 IPC and sentenced them to suffer rigorous imprisonment for life and to pay fine of Rs. 1000/- each in default to suffer simple imprisonment for a period of six months each and further convicted them for the offence under Section 148 IPC and sentenced them to suffer rigorous imprisonment for a period of one year and to pay a fine of Rs. 500/- each in default to suffer simple imprisonment for a period of three months each by the impugned judgment.
(3.) THE substance of the charge against the accused is that on 6. 3. 2004 near the field of Balija Veerappa in between obulapuram and Thadakanapalli Villages, they committed murder of Rogenna, who belonged to a member of Scheduled Caste, (hereinafter referred to as "the deceased")intentionally by beating and stabbing him with pattudu sticks and knife.