THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE P.SWAROOP REDDY CRIMINAL PETITION No.959 of 2010 Dated : 05.02.2010 Between : N.Maldi Reddy & others ….. Petitioners/A.1 to A.7 a n d The State of A.P. & others ….. Respondents THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE P.SWAROOP REDDY CRIMINAL PETITION No.959 OF 2010 ORDER : This criminal petition under Section 482 of Cr.P.C. is filed by the petitioners-A.1 to A.7 seeking to quash proceedings in Crime No.11 of 2010 of Oravakal Police Station, Kurnool District, registered for the offence punishable under Sections 323, 355 and 506 read with Section 34 I.P.C. and Section 3 (1) (x) of SC & ST (POA) Act. 2) Heard. 3) The contention of the learned counsel for the petitioners is that on account of political rivalry a false case is foisted against the petitioners. It is also his contention that the complainant does not belong to Scheduled Caste and even according to the First Information Report he is a Christian. 4) A perusal of the First Information Report reveals that the complainant belongs to Scheduled Caste (Christian). Thus, the contention of the petitioner that the complainant does not belong to Schedule Caste raises disputed question of fact, which has to be investigated into by the investigating officer. Therefore, at this stage of investigation, the proceedings against the petitioners cannot be quashed. 5) However, considering the circumstances of the case, it is directed that the petitioners shall not be arrested till filing of charge sheet, if any. The investigation and consequential steps on the basis of investigation can go on. 6) Accordingly, the criminal petition is disposed of. ______________________ P.SWAROOP REDDY, J 5th February, 2010 SUR