JUDGMENT

Arijit Pasayat, J.-A Division Bench of the Patna High Court found the appellants guilty of offences punishable under Section 302 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (in short the IPC ). In addition, appellants Lakhan Singh, Janardan Singh, Ram Janam Singh, Dani Singh, Raghu Singh, Ram Charitar Singh and Chandar Singh were found guilty of offence punishable under Section 201 IPC and sentenced each to undergo five rigorous imprisonment with a fine of Rs. 3,000/- with default stipulation. It directed that the fine on realisation was to be paid to the informant by way of compensation. Appellant Lakhan Singh was additionally convicted for offence punishable under Section 436 IPC to undergo life imprisonment.

2. The present appeals have been filed by 21 persons. Twenty seven persons were named in the FIR and charge sheet was filed initially against 24 persons. In terms of Section 319 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (in short the Code ), three more persons were added. Twenty seven persons were convicted by the trial Court and all of them filed appeals before the High Court. It has to be noted, as stated by learned counsel for the appellants, that one of th