Judgment :

1. The present Criminal Appeal, filed by the appellant under Section 374(2) of the Cr.P.C., is directed against the judgment and order dated 24.01.1998 passed by the learned Sessions Judge, Sundargarh in S.T. No.190 of 1996, whereby the learned trial Court has convicted the accused-appellant for the offences punishable under Section 454 /354 of the INDIAN PENAL CODE (hereinafter ‘the Code’ for brevity) and Section 3 (1)(xii) of the S.C. and S.T.(PoA) Act, accordingly, sentenced him to undergo R.I. for three months besides fine of Rs.500/- on each count, in default, to further undergo R.I. for one month for the offences under the Code and further R.I. of six months with fine of Rs.1000/- in default, to further undergo R.I. for two months for the offence under (1)(xii) of the S.C. and S.T.(PoA) Act.

2. The case of the prosecution, as unfolded from the records, is that on