JUDGMENT:

1. The appellant/accused was convicted for the offences under Sections 417, 420 IPC and Section 3(1)(xii) of SCs & STs (POA) Act, 1989 vide judgment in Special S.C.No.77 of 2011, dated 29.02.2016 passed by the Special Sessions Judge for trial of offences under SCs & STs (POA) Act, Karimnagar.

2. According to victim/P.W.2, the appellant was working as constable in police department. He followed her and expressed his willingness to marry her. Thereafter, they had physical intimacy over a period of time. In her deposition, P.W.2 narrated several instances of going together and also going to different places and having sexual intercourse. Since appellant refused to marry, she complained to the elders of their caste. She also consumed vasmol hair dye and attempted to commit suicide. She was taken to the hospital and treated. Believing the version of marriage, she in fact surrendered herself to the appellant. The complaint was filed on 18.03.2011. Charge sheet was filed on 12.08.2011. While the case was pending in the year 2013, the appellant married P.W.2 and the marriage was registered with the Sub-Registrar, Boinpally. In the month of December, 2013, the marriage had taken pl