JUDGMENT

Abhay Manohar Sapre, J.

These appeals are filed against the common final judgment and order dated 12.08.2008 passed by the High Court of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh in Criminal Appeal Nos. 448-DB and 395-DB of 1998 whereby the Division Bench of the High Court dismissed the appeals filed by the appellants herein and upheld the judgments/orders of conviction and sentence rendered by the Trial Court.

2. The case of the prosecution is as under: One Hari Singh (since dead) was married to Messo (deceased). Out of this wedlock, the couple was blessed with three daughters, namely, Dholi alias Krishna, Sumitra and Raj Bala. Raj Bala was aged around 15 years and the youngest amongst the three daughters. Both Dholi and Sumitra were married at a place (village) called Kagdana whereas Rajbala was unmarried.

3. Hari Singh has two brothers, namely, Sohan Lal (accused - since dead) and Bhoop Singh. Sohan Lal has four sons, namely, Ram Chander, Ranbir alias Randhir, Ram Kumar and Om Parkash (accusedappellants herein). Messo has one sister Guddi (PW- 9) who is married to Bhoop Singh.

4. Messo and Raj Bala (mother and daughter) were living in one house at village Arnianwali. Guddi was their