JUDGMENT

Dalveer Bhandari, J.—

1. Unfortunately, the centuries old Indian Caste System still takes its toll from time to time. This case unfolds the worst kind of atrocities committed by the so called upper- caste (Kshatriya or Thakur) against the so called lower-caste -Harijan caste in a civilized country. It is absolutely imperative to abolish the caste system as expeditiously as possible for the smooth functioning of Rule of Law and Democracy in our country.

2. In the instant case, the accused persons belonging to Thakur caste literally butchered seven totally innocent persons belonging to the Harijan caste and to wipe out the entire evidence of their atrocities, after shooting they were thrown in the river Ganges where currents were very strong. Out of seven, even the bodies of five persons could not be recovered.

3. This appeal emanates from the judgment and order dated 10.01.2001 delivered by the High Court of judicature at Allahabad in Criminal Appeal No. 1715 of 1982. By this impugned judgment, all the 18 accused who were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment by the trial court have been subsequently acquitted by the High Court.

4. The learned Additional Sessions J