JUDGMENT

M. K. MUKHERJEE, J.:—These three appeals stem from two related incidents that took place on November 11, 1985 in village Laxmipur Taufir Bind Toli and its neighbourhood within the jurisdiction of Munger Musffasil Police Station in the State of Bihar. Before detailing the incidents and discussing the evidence on record relating thereto it will be necessary to narrate the sequence of events leading to the trial to appreciate the contentions raised on behalf of the appellants regarding validity of the trial as well as the admission of evidence of some of the prosecution witnesses therein.

2. Over the first incident that took place at or about 6 a.m. two cases were registered being Munger Muffasil P.S. Case Nos.302 and 303 of 1985 after they were jointly investigated, a charge-sheet was submitted against six accused persons under Sections 147, 148 and 149/307, IPC and Section 27 of the Arms Act. In respect of the second incident, which started at mid day and continued till the evening, also two cases were registered : One in the same night on the statement of one Janki Bind being case No.304 of 1985 under Sections 148, 149/302, 201, 436 and 320, IPC, and the other on the follow