JUDGMENT :

These present Criminal Appeals are filed against the conviction and sentence dated 10.02.2016 made in Spl.S.C No.29 of 2013 on the file of the III Additional District Judge (PCR), Madurai.

2. Since both the appeals have been arose from the same judgment rendered in Spl.S.C.No.29 of 2013, by the consent of the parties, they are heard together and the following common judgment is passed.

3. The appellants in Crl.A(MD) No.86 of 2016 are arrayed as Accused Nos. 1 and 2 in the above referred case. Similarly, the appellant in Crl.A(MD) No.87 of 2016 is arrayed as third accused in the same case. Before the trial Court, the Accused Nos.1 to 3 were charged for the offence punishable under Sections 341, 324, 324 r/w 34 of IPC and Section 3(1)(x) of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act (hereinafter referred as “SC/ST (POA) Act). After full-fledged trial, the learned III Additional District Judge (PCR), Madurai, came to the conclusion that all the appellants/accused were found guilty under Sections 341, 324 and 324 r/w 34 of IPC and in view of the above, all of them are convicted and sentenced as follows:-

Accused Section Sentence

A-1 to A3 341 IPC Convicte