JUDGMENT

(Prayer: Criminal Appeal is filed under Section 372 (2) of Cr.P.C., to set aside the Conviction and Sentence imposed upon the appellants by the Hon'ble Fast Track Mahila Court, Nagapattinam, dated 23.07.2014 in S.C.No.73 of 2013.)

1. On 31/07/2012 at about 18.15 hrs, Rekha daughter of Karunanithi, a 17 years old lass committed suicide by hanging at her house. The matter was reported to the respondent police by her father on the next day at about 08.00 hrs. Based on his information, the case was registered in Crime No.476/2012 under Section 176 Cr.P.C and investigation was taken up. The investigation revealed that, on the date of incident the victim girl was subjected to harassment by the appellants herein. The appellants 1 to 5 were arrested and charged for offences under Sections 147, 354, 306 of I.P.C and section 4(b) of Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act. The charges were denied by the accused/appellants.

2. To prove the charges, the prosecution has examined 13 witnesses and marked 14 documents as exhibits. The trial court found all the 5 accused guilty and were sentenced as below: