JUDGMENT

P. N. SHINGHAL, J.:— This appeal by the accused is directed against the judgment of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh dated Aug. 3, 1973, by which their acquittal has been set side and they have been convicted and sentenced for the commission of various offences. Both the Courts have referred to the accused and the prosecution witnesses with reference to their serial numbers, and as arguments before us have also been advanced with reference to those numbers, it will be convenient to adhere to that method of describing them.

2. The incident which has given rise to this appeal relates to village Kasanur, within the jurisdiction of Simhadripuram police station in Pulivendla Taluka of Cuddapah District. It is alleged that there was long standing enmity between the group of the accused led by A-1, and the group of the prosecution witnesses led by Harishchandra Reddy. The High Court has mentioned the cause of the enmity and the disputes which preceded the present incident. It is alleged that on the morning of Jan 11, 1970, deceased Ramkrishna Reddy and P. W. 16 went to Simhadripuram to make some purchases and were beaten up by A-6 and A-21. They returned to Kasanur some time ther