JUDGMENT

D.K. Jain, J. - The three appellants, namely, Dharam, Raj Singh and Raj Kumar, alongwith two others, Kitaba and Bijender, faced trial in Sessions case No. 135 of 1994 (Sonipat) for having committed offences under Sections 148, 302, 323 and 324/149 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (for short "IPC"). The Trial Court found them guilty; convicted them for offences punishable under all the aforementioned Sections and sentenced them to suffer the following punishments:

"OFFENCESPUNISHMENT

148 IPCTo undergo RI for two years and to pay a fine of Rs.5000/- each and in default thereof to undergo RI for six months.

302/149 IPCTo undergo RI for life as also to pay a fine of Rs.20,000/- each and in default thereof to undergo RI for three years

324/149 IPCTo undergo RI for two years as also to pay a fine of Rs.5000/- each and in default thereof to undergo RI for six months

323/149 IPCTo undergo RI for six months"

All the convicts preferred common appeal to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, but were unsuccessful. This appeal by special leave is brought by the three appellants before us against the order of the High Court.

2. The appellants and the deceased are closely related. Appellant no.1,