JUDGMENT

Dated this the 25^th day of February, 2026 This criminal appeal has been filed under Section 14A of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 as amended in 2018 [hereinafter referred to as 'SC/ST POA Act, 2018' for short], challenging order dated 20.01.2026 in Crl.M.C. No.4084/2025 on the files of the Special Court for SC/ST (POA) Act cases, Manjery, whereby the learned Special Judge dismissed the anticipatory bail plea at the instance of the appellants, who are accused Nos.1 to 3 in Crime No.1190/2025 of Changaramkulam Police Station.

2. Heard the learned counsel for the appellants and the learned Public Prosecutor, in detail. Perused the verdict under challenge and the case diary placed by the learned Public Prosecutor. Even though, notice as mandated under Section 15A(3) of the SC/ST (POA) Act has been served upon respondent Nos.2 to 4, they did not appear.

3. Parties in this appeal shall be referred as ‘accused’ and ‘defacto complainant’, hereafter.

4. The prosecution allegation is that, at about 20.30 hours on 14.12.2025, the accused, being aware of the caste identity of the defacto complainant as a member of Scheduled Caste communit