This appeal under Section 374 of the Code of Criminal Procedure is preferred by A-1, A-2, A-4 to A-6 against the judgment dt. 18-9- 2006 passed in SC ST SC No.32/2005 on the file of Special Judge for SC & ST (POA) Act-cum-VI Additional District & Sessions Judge, Kurnool.

The appellants/A-1, A-2, A4 to A-6 along with A-3 who were tried for the offences punishable under Section 302 IPC, alternatively, under Sec. 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 Sec.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 Sc. 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.

The substance of the charge against the accused is that