ORDER

1. These two appeals arise out of a common judgment and order of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh disposing of two criminal appeals, namely, Criminal Appeal No. 290-DB of 1995 and Criminal Appeal No. 336-DB of 1996. Criminal Appeal No. 936 of 1999 in this Court is preferred by Pohlu, who was the appellant in Criminal Appeal No. 290-DB of 1995, while Criminal Appeal No. 181 of 2002 is by Balwan Singh who was the appellant before the High Court in Criminal Appeal No. 336-DB of 1996.

They have been found guilty of the offence under Sections 302/34 IPC for which they have been sentenced to undergo imprisonment for life and also to pay a fine of Rs 1000 and in default to undergo six months rigorous imprisonment. They have also been found guilty of the offences under Sections 452 IPC and 323 IPC read with Section 34 IPC for which they have

been sentenced to undergo three years rigorous imprisonment and six months rigorous imprisonment respectively, apart from payment of Rs 500 and Rs 200 as fine.

2. As many as five accused persons were put for trial before the Additional Sessions Judge, Jind in Sessions Trial Case No. 310f 23-5-1995 charged variously of offences u