JUDGMENT

P. Sathasivam, J. These appeals are directed against the common judgment and final order dated 26.09.2003 passed by the Division Bench of the High Court of Patna in Criminal Appeal Nos. 293, 307, 311 and 371 of 2000 whereby the High Court upheld the judgment and order dated 26/27.06.2000 passed by the First Additional District & Sessions Judge, Nawadah in Sessions Trial No. 333/97/40/97 convicting the appellants herein for the offence punishable under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (in short the "IPC") read with Section 27 of the Arms Act, 1959, Section 302 read with Section 14 of the IPC and Section 324 read with Section 149 of the IPC and maintained the sentences imposed upon them.

Brief facts:

2. The present group of appeals arises out of FIR No. 11 of 1997 registered at Police Station Govindpur, at the instance of one Naresh Yadav (PW-9) leading to Session Trial No. 333/97/40/97 at the Court of First Addl. District & Sessions Judge, Nawadah. There was a cross FIR No. 12 of 1997 registered at the same Police Station at the instance of one Sunil Yadav (Aaccused No.9 in FIR No. 11 of 1997) which was lodged at the instance of the accused in FIR No. 11 of 1997.

3. Acco