(1.) Both these appeals are being taken up together as an imortant common question of law is involved in them. However, so far as the merit is concerned, both the appeals have distinct facts.
(2.) In Criminal Appeal No. 293 of 1993, the accused-Respondents were prosecuted under Section 143/458 IPC read with Sections 3(i) and (xi) of the Schedule Castes and Scheduled Tribes . (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (hereinafter to be called as "the Atrocities Act") and after trial, they were acquitted by the Special Court (Sessions Judge), Mandi.
(3.) In Criminal Appeal No. 380 of 1995 the accused-Respondent was prosecuted under Section 3(1) of the Atrocities Act and, after trial, was acquitted by the Special Court (Sessions Judge), Una.