JUDGMENT

SARKARIA, J.:— This appeal by special leave is directed against a judgment, dated September 29, 1971 of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh. Eight persons who will hereinafter be referred to as A-1 to A-8, were put on trial for the murder of Peddiah alias Dubbanna and his two sons, Chinna Pullana and Pedda Pullanna.

2. About 2 years before these murders (Sugreevudu) one of the sons of A-1 was murdered at the toddy shop of P. W. 4, Mukkidi Naganna was prosecuted under Section 302, Indian Penal Code for that murder, Venkataramudu, the grand-son of P. W. 4, herein, was a prosecution witness in that case. Peddiah alias Dubbanna deceased in the present case was looking after the defence of Mukkidi Naganna and as a result of his influence one prosecution witness in that case turned hostile. Since the murder of Sugreevudu, A-1 had been living in village Divamdinne. On account of this the present accused were nursing a grudge against the deceased.

3. On July 22, 1970 at about 2.30 p. m., the deceased Peddiah alias Dubbanna, his sons, the other two deceased, and his wife (P. W. 1) went to their filed called Cheruvu Chenu in the revenue estate of village Kanakaveedu. Peddiah started runn