Judgment

K. JAVACHANDRA REDDY, J. -This appeal is filed under S. 379, Cr.P.C. read with S. 2 of the SC (Enlargement of Criminal Appellate Jurisdiction) Act. There are three appellants. Sardul Singh, Al is the father of Satnam Singh, A2 and Mohan Singh. A3. They were tried by the Sessions Judge, Patiala for offences punishable under Ss. 302/ 34 and 323/ 34, I.P.C. but were acquitted. The State of Punjab filed an appeal against the said order of acquittal and the High Court by the impugned judgment accepted the State appeal and set aside the acquittal of the appellants and convicted them under Ss. 302/34, J.P.C. and sentenced each of them to undergo imprisonment for life. Satnam Singh, A2 was further convicted under 5. 323, I.P.C. and the other two accused were also convicted under Ss. 323/ 34, I.P.C. and sentenced to undergo six months R.I. The sentences were directed to run concurrently. Hence the present appeal.

2. This is a case of matricide. As already mentioned, Al is the father of A2 and A3. P.W. 2, Malook Singh is the brother of Al. The father of P.W. 2 and Al died four years prior to the occurrence leaving 19 killas of land which was divided into three shares. 7 killas each ca