JUDGMENT

RANJAN GOGOI, J. –

1. The appellants, Santosh Manohar Chavan, Amit Ashok Shinde, Yogesh Madhukar Chavan and Mahesh Dhanaji Shinde who were tried as accused Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 6 (hereinafter referred to as A-1, A-2, A-3 and A-6) in Sessions Case Nos. 3/2005, 4/2005 and 5/2005 have assailed the impugned common judgment and order of the High Court of Bombay dated 17.10.2011 whereby their conviction in Sessions Case Nos. 3/2005 and 5/2005, inter alia, under Section 302/120B of the IPC and for offences under the Arms Act have been upheld by the High Court. The death penalty imposed on the appellants by the learned Trial Judge has been confirmed by the High Court by the order under appeal apart from the punishment imposed under different Sections of the Penal Code as well as the Arms Act. Insofar as Sessions Case No. 4/2005 is concerned, the learned Trial Judge had acquitted accused 1, 2 and 3 of the offence under Section 302/120B IPC. In the appeal by the State, the High Court has reversed the acquittal and convicted the aforesaid three accused of the aforesaid offence and has sentenced them to undergo RI for life. The accused No. 6, i.e., appellant Mahesh Dhanaji Shinde is not an