This criminal appeal has been filed under Section 374(2) Cr.P.C. by the accused Nos.1 and 3 in S.C.No.176/1001 on the file of the court of the Principal Sessions Judge, Erode, challenging the judgment of the said court dated 18.04.2002 made in the above said sessions case convicting them for offences punishable under Section 3(1)(x) of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, and Sections 447, 323 and 379 IPC and imposing a sentence of six months rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs.2,000/-with a default sentence of three months rigorous imprisonment for the offence punishable under Section 3(1)(x) of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, three months rigorous imprisonment for the offence under Section 447 IPC, six months rigorous imprisonment for the offence under Section 323 IPC and rigorous imprisonment for one year for the offence under Section 379 IPC. The trial court has ordered that the sentences shall run concurrently.

2. The case of the prosecution, in brief, can be stated as follows:

i) P.W.3-Chinnakuruvan is the father of Mani (P.W.1), Viswan (P.W.2) and the de-facto complainant, Th