JUDGMENT

C.K. Prasad, J. —

1.The sole petitioner, aggrieved by the judgment and order dated 31.03.2008 passed by the Division Bench of the Andhra Pradesh High Court in Criminal Appeal No.611 of 2006 affirming the judgment and order dated 6.4.2006 passed by the II Additional Sessions Judge (Fast Track Court), Mahabubnagar in Sessions Case No. 175 of 2003, has preferred this petition for grant of special leave to appeal.

2.Leave granted.

3.Altogether eight persons, including the appellant were put on trial for various offences punishable under Section 148, 307/149, 302, 302/149 and 324 of the Indian Penal Code.

4.The appellant, in particular, was charged for offences of rioting, attempt to commit murder of S. Ramulu (PW.1), murder of S. Ramalingam and causing hurt to S. Ramchandriah (PW.5), punishable under Section 148, 307, 302 and 324 of the Indian Penal Code respectively. The trial court acquitted all the accused persons for the offence under Section 307/149 of the Indian Penal Code but sentenced all of them for offence under Section 148, 324/149 and 302/149 and sentenced them to undergo imprisonment for life for the offence under Section 302/149 and rigorous imprisonment for nine mon