JUDGMENT

AHMADI, J.:—Ram Subba Reddy,an advocate, politician (an ex-MLA)-cum-trade unionist was done to death when he was sleeping on the terrace of his house in Proddatur, District Cuddapah, on the night between 14th and 15th April 1975. The incident in question occurred at about 3.30 a.m. in which, apart from the deceased Ram Subba Reddy having received fatal blows by lethal weapons, his daughter P. W. 1 Krishnaveni, aged about 24 years, received injuries., when she attempted to go to help her father. As many as 19 persons were put up for trial before the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Cuddapah on different charges. Original accused Nos. 1 and 7 to 19 were charged for criminal conspiracy under S. 120B; original accused Nos. 1 to 6, 12 and 13 were charged for rioting with deadly weapons under S. 148; original accused No. 16 was charged under S. 147 along with original accused Nos 1 to 6, 12 and 13; original accused Nos. 1 to 6 and 12 and 13 were charged for murder under S. 302; the said accused along with original accused No. 16 were also charged under S. 302/149; original accused No. 5 was charged under S. 324 and he as well as original accused Nos. 1 to 4, 6, 12, 13 and 16 w