Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989–Sec. 3(2)(v)–Penal Code, 1860–Secs. 302 & 376D–Though the prosecution has proved the caste of the victim/deceased, there is nothing to indicate that the accused knew the caste of the victim or even they were in any manner acquainted with the victim, to be aware of her caste status–The offence cannot be said to have been committed with the knowledge of the caste status of the victim–Convition u/s. 3(2)(v) cannot be sustained.
