SREEDHARAN, J.

This reference under section 395(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure is at the instance of the Sessions Judge, Thalassery. He is the Special Court specified under section 14 of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 to try offences under that Act. Questions referred by him are :-

(1) What is the correct procedure to be followed by a Special Court when it receives a final report disclosing offences punishable under section 3 of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 as well as offences punishable under the Indian Penal Code and

(2) If the course followed by this Court in taking cognizance of offences punishable under the Indian Penal Code also along with offences punishable under section 3 of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act were (as it appears to be) wrong, what further procedure is to be followed.

2. Section 14 of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, hereinafter referred to as the Act, is in the following terms :-

"For the purpose of providing for speedy trial, the State Government shall, with