1. The appellant herein has been convicted for offence punishable under S.302 of IPC and S.3(2)(v) of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (hereinafter ''Act of 1989'').

2. Since the matter is listed for hearing on the application for suspension of sentence and grant of bail as the appellant has also been convicted for offence under S.3(2)(v) of the Act of 1989, the question for consideration would be, whether the victim / dependent is required to be noticed and heard on I.A. No. 1, application for suspension of sentence and grant of bail ?

3. In order to answer the question, provisions contained under S.15 - A of the Act of 1989 which relates to rights of victims and witnesses may be referred herein. S.15 - A of the Act of 1989 contains important provisions that safeguards the rights of victims of caste - based atrocities and witnesses. Sub