( 1 ) THIS appeal is filed against the judgment dated 16-8-1996 passed by the Court of Additional Sessions Judge, Medak at Sangareddy in S. C. No. 1 of 1996.

( 2 ) THE accused A-1 to A-8 were charged of the offences punishable under Section 375, I. P. C. and under Section 3 of S. C. and S. T. (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (hereinafter referred to as the Act ). The Court below, on evidence, found A-1, A-3, A-5, A-6 and A-8 guilty under Section 3 (2) (v) of S. C. and S. T. (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, read with Section 376, I. P. C. , and accordingly convicted and sentenced them to suffer rigorous imprisonment for ten years each and also sentenced them to pay a fine of Rs. 2,000/- each and in default, to suffer imprisonment for a period of one year each. Similarly, the court below, on evidence, found A-2, A-4 and A-7 guilty for the offence punishable under Section 376, I. P. C. and convicted and sentenced them to suffer imprisonment for ten years each and also sentenced them to pay a fine of Rs. 2,000/- each and in default, to suffer imprisonment for a period of one year each. Aggrieved by the order of conviction, the accused A-1 to A-8 have preferred th