JUDGMENT :

This Criminal Appeal has been filed against the judgment of conviction and sentence, dated 28.8.2019, passed by the learned Principal Sessions Judge, Krishnagiri, in Sessions Case No.73 of 2018.

2. The respondent police registered a case in Crime No.144/2016 against the appellants for the offences punishable under Section 3(1)(x) of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities Act) and Section 506(1) of IPC. After completing the investigation, laid a charge-sheet before the District Munsif cum Judicial Magistrate Court, Denkanikottai, who has taken the case in P.R.C.No.17/2016. Thereafter, the case was committed to the Principal Sessions Court, Krishnagiri, who has taken the case on file in S.C.No.73/2018.

3. After completing the formalities, the learned Principal Sessions Judge framed charges against the 1st accused u/s.354 IPC, Section 3(1)(r) of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 2015, u/s.506(i) IPC and u/s.3(2)(va) of SC/ST (POA) amendment Ordinance Act, 2015 and against the 2nd accused u/s.3(1)(r) and (s) of SC/ST (POA) Amendment Ordinance Act, 2015.

4. After trial, the learned Principal Sessions Judge convicted the 1st appellant/1st accused (i) for offence u/s.354 IPC and sente