Judgment :

1. This appeal, by special leave has been preferred by the appellants against their conviction and sentence.

2. Altogether six persons were put on trial and in the present appeal we are concerned with the four appellants who were Accused Nos. 1, 2, 4 and 5. Appellant No. 1, Velu @ Velmurugan has been found guilty under Sections 302 and 324 of the Indian Penal Code and sentenced to undergo imprisonment for life and two years respectively, while other appellants have been held guilty under Section 324 of the Indian Penal Code and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for two years.

3. Prosecution commenced on the basis of the report given by PW-1, Subramani before the Sub-Inspector of Police on 6th of March, 2002 at 1.00 A.M. at JIPMER Hospital, Pondicherry. According to the informant, three acres of land situated in his village was leased out to his family by its owner Ranga Iyer 40 years ago and since then they were cultivating the same. In the year 1985, according to the prosecution, Balasundaram (since acquitted) who happens to be the father of Appellant No. 1, Velu purchased the aforesaid land from Ranga Iyer and asked the informant and his family members to vaca