JUDGMENT

B. Sudershan Reddy, J.—

This appeal by special leave is directed against the Judgment and Order dated 14th July, 2003 passed by the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad in Criminal Appeal No. 2405 of 2002 by which the conviction of the appellants under Sections 148, 302 read with Section 149, Section 307 read with Section 149, Sections 452 and 427 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) recorded by the Sessions Court in Sessions Trial No. 184 of 1995 is upheld except in case of appellant Sharda Singh whose conviction recorded under Section 148, IPC is altered to one under Section 147, IPC whereas punishment of death sentence imposed on the appellants Moti Lal, Surendra Singh, Virendra Singh, Amar Singh and Dhunnan Singh is reduced to one of rigorous imprisonment for life but other punishments imposed on all the appellants for commission of offences punishable under Sections 302 read with Section 149, Section 307 read with Section 149, Sections 452 and 427 are upheld.

2. The facts leading to the present appeal are that on the night intervening 24th/ 25th June, 1994 at about 1.45 a.m., one Motilal, Surendra Singh, Virendra Singh, Sharda Singh, Miyadi @ Ram Miyadi Singh, Dhunnan Sing