Koppal- In a recent verdict, a sessions court in Karnataka’s Koppal district found 101 individuals guilty in a long-standing case involving severe offenses against Scheduled Caste community members in Marakumbi village. The case dates back to 2014, when the convicted were accused of violent acts against the Madiga community, allegedly in retaliation for a scuffle over cinema tickets.

The court sentenced 98 of the convicted to life imprisonment under Section 3(2)(iv) of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, while the remaining defendants received five-year terms of rigorous imprisonment.

The original complaint filed in August 2014 alleged that, after an altercation at a cinema, the accused entered the Madiga community’s area, subjected its residents to verbal abuse, physical assaults, and arson. Investigators later charged a total of 117 individuals, citing various provisions under the SC/ST Act. Charges included Section 3(1)(x), which addresses targeted insults and intimidation towards SC/ST community members, and Section 3(1)(xi), covering assaults intended to violate the modesty of SC/ST women. Additionally, Section 3(2)(iv), concerning property destruction by fire, was applied due to the arson committed in the colony.

During the trial’s lengthy process, 11 of the accused passed away, and two juvenile suspects were transferred to the Juvenile Justice Board.

'Showing Mercy Would be Travesty of Justice'

In the matter State of Karnataka v. Manjunath & Others, Special Judge C. Chandra Sekhar, presiding over the case, emphasized the seriousness of the crime, remarking, “To show mercy in a case like this would be a travesty of justice.” He highlighted the injuries inflicted upon male and female victims from the Scheduled Caste community, noting that women’s modesty had been violated and victims were attacked with sticks, stones, and bricks. Judge Sekhar added that the offense warranted a sentence beyond the minimum prescribed by law.

Judge Sekhar opened the judgment by quoting African-American singer Marian Anderson, underscoring the societal impact of suppressing marginalized communities. He observed, “No matter how big a Nation is, it is no stronger than its weakest people, and as long as you keep a person down, some part of you has to be down there to hold him down, so it means you cannot soar as you might otherwise.”

The court’s findings were supported by testimonies from 35 witnesses, mostly victims, including children and women. Despite a significant delay in witness examination, their statements remained consistent and corroborated by medical and forensic evidence, noted the judge. The defense’s claims questioning witness credibility were dismissed due to the strong alignment of witness statements and other evidence.

In their defense, the convicted individuals argued that many of them, being from humble backgrounds such as farming and daily wage labor, had not participated directly in setting fires. However, the court found no extenuating circumstances that would justify leniency.

Citing a precedent from Manjula Devi v. Onkarjit Singh Ahluwalia (2017), the judge reiterated the ongoing challenges and systemic oppression faced by Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, highlighting that members of these communities are often subjected to social indignities, harassment, and violence.

Earlier, there have been instances in the country where multiple individuals were sentenced in a single case.

In Chhattisgarh, on June 4, 2003, a lower court sentenced 27 accused to life imprisonment in the murder case of NCP treasurer Ramavatar Jaggi. In April 2024, the High Court upheld this sentence.

In another case, a court in Hamirpur, Uttar Pradesh, sentenced 17 accused to life imprisonment in a double murder case in September 2022. This was the first instance in Uttar Pradesh where such a large group received life sentences simultaneously.