JUDGMENT :

1. In the wake of instant surge in COVID – 19 cases and spread of its highly infectious Omicron variant, abundant caution is being maintained, while hearing the matters in the Court, for the safety of all concerned.

2. This criminal appeal under Section 374 Cr.P.C. has been preferred claiming the following reliefs :

“It is therefore prayed that conviction and sentence so passed by the learned Special Judge, SC/ST Pali dt. 9.3.94 may kindly be quashed and set aside, and accused appellant be acquitted for the offence with which he has been charged with and if this Hon’ble Court comes to conclusion, that offence is made out, then looking to the facts and circumstances of the case, he be given probation under the Probation of Offenders Act.”

3. The matter pertains to an incident which occurred in the year 1990 and the present appeal has been pending since the year 1994.

4. Learned counsel for the appellant submits that this Criminal Appeal has been preferred against the impugned judgment dated 09.03.1994 passed by the learned Special Judge, SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Ca