JUDGMENT

Thomas, J.-This is a case involving death of 23 passengers in a bus. When the Super Express Bus set out its journey from Hyderabad to the terminal Chilakaluribet, none of the passengers nor its driver nor the conductor had any foreboding that the vehicle was heading to a very norrendous tragedy on route. The vehicle was set on fire and 23 passengers were roasted to death, besides a number of other passengers sustained serious burns. The two appellants before us were arraigned for converting the stage carriage into a wheeled inferno motivated by lust for wealth by robbing the passengers. Trial court convicted them and sentenced them to the extreme penalty under law. High Court confirmed the conviction and sentence. They have come up with this appeal by special leave.

2. More details of the case :

On the fateful day (8.3.1993) the uper

Express Bus was driven by PW-6 Lakshmnarayana for operating service on the route Hyderabad - Chilakaluribet. The bus reached near a railway level crossing at Narasaraooet around 4.30 A.M. where it stopped to let two more passengers to board the bus which was already reblete with passengers. Just after the bus was in motion again, PW-6 sensed smel