In view of the amendments made in the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes(Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, this Court is of the view that the usual directions that were issued by this Court cannot be issued routinely in all cases. Therefore, the petitioners are directed to surrender before the trial Court within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order and on such surrender, the learned II Additional Sessions Judge cum (PCR Court), Tirunelveli, is directed to consider the bail petition filed by the petitioners in connection with Crime No.297 of 2017, on merits and in accordance with law, after issuing notice to the defacto complainant/victim under Section 15 (A) of the SC/ST Act.
2. With the above direction, this Criminal Original Petition is disposed of.
To
1. The Inspector of Police, Kalakkadu Police Station, Nanguneri Taluk, Tirunelveli District.
2. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Nanguneri.
3.The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.
.