JUDGMENT

Surinder Singh Nijjar, J. —

1.These three appeals have been filed against a common judgment of the High Court whereby the six appellants in the three appeals have been convicted under Sections 302, 307, 149 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (for short ‘IPC’ ); the sentence to life imprisonment for offences under Section 302 read with Section 149 or 34 of the IPC; rigorous imprisonment for five years under Section 307 read with Section 149 or 34 of the IPC; rigorous imprisonment for six months each under Sections 143 and 148 of the IPC.

2.Initially 13 persons including the six appellants had been charge-sheeted in Kumbla Police Station, Crime No.22/1994 for offences punishable under Sections 143, 148, 324, 307 and 302 of the IPC read with Section 149 of the IPC. Upon trial, the six appellants had been convicted under Sections 143, 147, 148, 307 and 302 read with Section 149 of the IPC and sentenced to life imprisonment together with various other periods of imprisonment under different sections. The sentences were directed to run concurrently. Accused Nos. 7 to 13 were found not guilty and acquitted of all the charges. The convicted accused filed Criminal Appeal No.391/96 before