K.K.Mathew, J.

(1) THIS appeal, by special leave, is from the judgment of the High court of Andhra Pradesh reversing the judgment of the Additional Sessions Judge of Kurnool in Sessions Case No. 30 of 1968 acquitting the 20 accused in the case.

(2) THE prosecution case was as follows. Deceased Pedda Venkata Reddy was a rich and influential person of Singaripalli village in Giddalur Taluk. P. Ws. 1 to 7 are his sons and they were living together as members of a joint family. Of his sons, P. W. 6 was a student of the final year M. B. B. S. class and P. W 7, an advocate practising in Giddalur. The accused were related to each other and they also belong to Singaripalli village. On the evening of 29/12/1967, P. W. 2 found some buffaloes belonging to A-3 grazing in the horse-gram field belonging to their family. He drove them to the cattle pound. A-2, A-5 and A-13 interfered and P. W. 2 was beaten by A-5. P. W. 2 came and told about this incident to his father and brothers. His father and P. W. I went to the House of A-3 and questioned A-5, who is the son of A-3, about his conduct and they. returned to their home. At about 6 a. m. on the next day, namely, 30/1