JUDGMENT :

The challenge in the writ petition is against Ext.P4 order of the first respondent; the Kerala Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission, directing the third respondent; investigating officer in Crime No.1751 of 2016 of Sooranad Police Station, to submit final report in the crime, after including offences under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, (for short “Prevention of Atrocities Act”) against the petitioners.

2. The petitioners; husband and wife, are conducting a hotel at Sooranad. The 4th respondent was an employee in the hotel and had raised a demand for better wages through his Union. The demand for enhanced wages led to animosity between the petitioners and the 4th respondent and allegedly resulted in the 4th respondent being assaulted by the petitioners. The incident, which took place on 29.12.2015, led to registration of the crime against the petitioners for offences under Sections 323, 324 and 34 of IPC.

3. The 4th respondent was dissatisfied with the investigation conducted by the third respondent and being a person belonging to the Scheduled Caste, approached the Commission seeking proper investigation. The thi