JUDGMENT :

S.V. PINTO, J.

1. The appeal is filed by the appellant State under Section 378 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 against the judgement and order of acquittal passed by the learned Special Judge and Additional Sessions Judge, Anand (hereinafter referred to as “the learned Trial Court”) in Special Case Atro No. 20/2011 on 16.04.2013, whereby, the learned Trial Court has acquitted the respondents extending benefit of doubt for the offence punishable under Sections 323 , 504, 506(2) and 114 of IPC and Section 3(1)(10) of Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (hereinafter referred to as “the Atrocity Act” for short).

1.1 During the pendency of the appeal, the respondent no. 2 – Bhaveshbhai Mahendrabhai Suthar expired on 23.10.2016 and the certificate of Sarpanch, Gram Panchayat, Magharol, Taluka Sojitra, District Anand is produced on record. In view of the same, the appeal qua the respondent no. 2 stands abated.

1.2 The respondents are hereinafter referred to as “the accused” in the rank and file as they stood in the original case for the sake of convenience, clarity and brevity.

2. The brief facts that emerge from the record of the case are