Karnataka HC grants bail to 98, suspends life term in 2014 Dalit atrocity case in Karnataka
On August 29, 2014, Dalits’ houses at Marukumbi in Karnataka’s Koppal district were set on fire and over 30 people injured in an attack by people mainly belonging to dominant castes.
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On August 29, 2014, Dalits’ houses in Marukumbi village of the Gangavathi region were set on fire and more than 30 people injured in an attack carried out by people predominantly belonging to dominant castes. (Express Photo) The Dharwad bench of the Karnataka High Court on Wednesday suspended the life imprisonment sentences awarded to 98 people by a district and sessions court and granted them bail in connection with the 2014 caste violence targeting Dalits in Koppal district.
On October 24, a trial court in Koppal district convicted 101 people and awarded life terms to 98 under the Karnataka Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 in connection with the caste violence against Dalits in Marukumbi village on August 29, 2014, in which Dalit houses were set on fire, leaving over 30 people injured.
The Dharwad bench of the HC suspended the sentences after appeals were filed by Hanumesh Basanagouda and 97 others over the last week, and ruled that sentences would be suspended subject to the accused persons posting a security of Rs 1 lakh each.
“It is seen that all the accused were on bail during the trial. No material is placed that they misused the discretionary bail. The injuries sustained by some of the victims are all simple in nature. The photographs pertaining to the burnt houses are also placed on record. The appellant/accused have undertaken to abide by any condition,” a division bench of the high court said.
“We are of the opinion that the finding recorded by the trial court requires thorough examination. Therefore accused persons have made out ground for grant of bail and case for suspension of sentence,” it said.
“Substantive sentence of imprisonment imposed on appellants/accused is suspended till these appeals are decided on merits. Appellants/accused are granted bail on each of them executing personal bond for Rs 1,00,000 with a surety for likesum to the satisfaction of the trial court. They shall deposit the fine amount within two weeks, if not already deposited. They shall surrender before the court in case the appeals are dismissed,” it ruled.
In his October 24 order, Judge C Chandrashekhar said, “Caste discrimination involves massive violations of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. It is often outlawed in countries affected by it, but a lack of implementation of legislation and caste bias within the justice systems largely leave victims without protection.”
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