State Of Himachal Pradesh vs Gita Ram

The Supreme Court held that a Special Court designated under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 retains its character as a Sessions Court and can try offences under the IPC in accordance with the Code of Criminal Procedure. The Court found that the High Court's decision to set aside the conviction under Section 376 IPC based on jurisdictional grounds was erroneous, as the Special Court is competent to conduct trials for such offences. The Supreme Court reinstated the conviction and sentence imposed by the Sessions Court.