Judgement

GOVINDA MENON J.- In Sessions Case, No. 41 of 1955 before the Additional Sessions Judge of Amritsar, the accused persons were Jumman, Darshu and Chanan sons of Isher, Sohan alias Sohni son of Thakar, Bansa son of Isher and Hazara Singh son of Jetha, charged with various offences. All the accused were charged under S. 302/149, as well as for the offence of rioting under S. 148, I.P.C. Jumman, Darashu, Chanan and Sohni wore also charged under S. 302, I.P.C. for having committed the murder of Tara Singh, Lakhe Singh and Sangha Singh, Bensa and Hazara Singh were charged under S. 307/34, I.P.C., for having attempted to commit the murder of Mohindar Singh, Kartar Singh and Nand Singh. There were also certain additional charges which, it is unnecessary, to refer in detail. The learned Sessions Judge found all the six guilty and sentenced Jumman, Darshu, Chanan and Sohni to death and Hazar Singh and Bansa to imprisonment for life for the offence under S. 302/109, I.P.C., and to imprisonment for a period of 5 years for an offence under S. 307/34, I.P.C. Against these convictions and sentences chanan, Darshu and Sohni preferred Criminal Appeal No. 14 of 1956 in the Punjab High Court