Judgment

GHULAM HASAN, J. : These appeals filed by special leave granted on different dates arise out of two separate judgments passed by the Allahabad High Court on March 20, 1950. They relate to an occurrence of riot which took place at Manikarnika Ghat, Banaras, on December 9, 1947, at about 1 P. M. They have been heard together and will be disposed of by a common judgment.

2. The plan prepared in the case shows that Manikarnika Ghat has a tank known as the Manikarnika Kund. To the south of the Kund is a narrow lane about 7 feet wide and towards further south is a stone platform called Takhat Hazara . To the east of Takhat Hazara is the Takhat of Gajanand. Towards the east of Gajanand s Takhat is the Sindia Ghat and on the west of Takhat Hazara is a stone-paved platform and to the west of this platform there is a place called "Charan Paduka". To the south of the platform there is Chunawali-Marhi where Anjaninandan s Takhats are kept. To the west of Takhat Hazara there is a place called dasgatra where Daswan ceremonies are usually held.

3. There are two rival group of Pandas at the Ghat, one led by Anjaninandan and the other by Gajanand. The Pandas, as is well-known, minister to th