Ashwani Kumar Singh, J.

These criminal appeals raise a common preliminary issue and as such the issue is being decided by a common order.

2. Cr. Appeal (SJ) No. 591 of 2016 has been filed under Section 14-A(2) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2015 (Act No. 1 of 2016) (hereinafter referred to as "the Amendment Act, 2015") by the appellants challenging the order dated 26.07.2016 passed by the learned 3rd Additional Sessions Judge-cum - Special Judge, Muzaffarpur in G.R. Case No. 103 of 2016, arising out of Paroo P.S. Case No. 156 of 2016, registered under certain provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (hereinafter referred to as 'the SC & ST Act, 1989') whereby the prayer for bail of the appellants has been rejected.

3. Cr. Appeal (SJ) No. 625 of 2016 has been filed under Section 14-A(2) of the Amendment Act, 2015 by which the appellant has challenged the order dated 01.08.2016 passed by the learned Special Judge-cum-1st Additional Sessions Judge, East Champaran at Motihari in B.P. No. 1008 of 2016, arising out of certain offences under the