1. This criminal appeal under section 374 (2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure has been preferred being aggrieved by the judgment, finding and sentence dated 8.8.1994 passed by Special Judge, Balaghat in Special Case No. 31/1992, whereby the appellant has been convicted under section 3 (1) (x) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 and sentenced to R.I. for 6 months with fine of Rs.

200/-, in default of payment of the S.I. for 1-1/2 month.

2. Prosecution case in short is that on 28.2.1992 at about 5:30 p.m. complainant Bharatlal Mahar, Peon in the office of Block Development officer, Khairlanji brought Government dak to the house of Kavindra Nath Thakur, Sarpanch of Gram Panchayat, Kinhi for delivery. He read the letter and thereafter hurled abuses to BDO and the complainant himself. Thereafter he also assaulted the complainant with fist and kick

blows and gave him shoe beating. Thus he intentionally insulted and threatened to the member of Scheduled Caste. Written report was submitted at outpost Khairlanji where the Crime No. 97/92 under sections 353, 294, 506, 332 of IPC was registered on 18.3.1992 at 9:00 p.m. On the basis o