In Brief
In this case, the appellant was charged with offences under Section 294 IPC (obscene words), Section 506 IPC (criminal intimidation), and Section 3(1)(x) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The trial court convicted him under Sections 294 and 3(1)(x), acquitting him under Section 506. The High Court upheld the conviction. The Supreme Court affirmed the conviction under Section 294 IPC as the evidence established public use of obscene language. However, applying the doctrine of benefit of doubt, the Court acquitted the appellant under Section 3(1)(x) of the Atrocities Act, finding insufficient proof of the specific ingredients required. The appeal was partly allowed.
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