JUDGMENT :

1. This appeal is by the State challenging the judgment and order of acquittal dated 21.10.2013 passed in Crl.A.No.64/2010 on the file of the Principal Sessions Judge, Udupi District, Udupi, reversing the judgment and order of conviction dated 20.11.2010 passed in C.C.No.3311/2009 on the file of the II Additional Civil Judge (Jr.Dn.) and JMFC, Udupi.

2. The case of the prosecution in brief are as under:

The complainant B.Nagesh Nayak S/o B. Krishna Nayak had gone to Perdoor on 20.03.2009 in his Maruthi Van to purchase some articles. On his return journey, his close relatives namely, Vishwanath and Nagesh had accompanied the complainant and were proceeding as inmates in the Maruthi Van along with the complainant. When they reached Doopadakatte, the complainant stopped the Van as he was required to purchase some articles from the shop of one Amritha Kulal. The case of the prosecution is that when the complainant was proceeding towards the shop of Amritha Kulal, one Prashanth Poojary (accused No.3) started questioning the complainant in regard to informing the forest officials regarding illegal felling of trees, caught hold of complainant's collar. One Pradeep Shetty (accused