Judgment

SARKARIA, J.:- The facts leading to these Criminal Appeals 151 of 1975 and 185 of 1976 are as follows :-

In the General Elections held to the Legislative Assembly of the State of Jammu and Kashmir in 1972, two candidates, namely, Rangil Singh (Congress) and Lala Sain Dass (Independent) contested from Ranbirsinghpura constituency. Two years earlier, in the election to the office of the Lambardar of Village Bahu, two factions came into existence. One of them was led by Pritam Singh, complainant, while the other was led by Piyara Singh and Hazara Singh, respondents in Criminal Appeal 151 of 1975. Pritam Singhs faction supported Sant Singh candidate, while Piyara Singhs faction canvassed for Gulab Singh, the rival candidate. The relations between Pritam Singh, complainant and his brother on one side and Piyara Singh and Hazara Singh on the other, which were already bitter became further strained due to this rivalry in the elections.

2. On February 28, 1972 in the evening, a public meeting in connection with the elections to the Legislative Assembly was held in the compound of the Co-operative Stores in village Bahu to canvass support for the Congress candidate, Rangil Singh, who