JUDGMENT

N. L. UNTWALIA, J.:—In village Bapla, Police Station Mehal Kalan, District Sangrur a very serious occurrence took place on the 18th September, 1972 in which three persons were killed by fire-arms. The occurrence is said to have taken place at about 7.30 A. M. Gidho Puri, P. W. 4, his wife Gurdial Kaur, P. W. 5 and their son Labh Puri - (one of the victims) were present in their house. Appellants Nachhettar Singh, Dalip Gir and Balwant Gir, according to the prosecution case, came from the side of village Seth raising Lalkaras. Nachhettar Singh had a rifle, Dalip a gun and Balwant Gir was armed with a gandasa. They caught hold of Labh Puri, dragged him out of his house and took him to the Court-yard of Balwant Gir across the lane, Gurdial Kaur tried to save him but Nchhattar Singh gave her a blow with the butt end of his rifle on her right shoulder. In the Court-yard of Balwant Gir, Nachhattar Singh is said to have fired his rifle at Labh Puri and caused his death.

2. The prosecution story further runs thus. In the house adjacent to that of Gidho Puri were living Paras Puri and Chhota Puri - the other two persons killed in the occurrence. They are nephews of Gidho Puri. Thei