JUDGMENT

Mohan M. Shantanagoudar, J.

1. This is yet another case of the brutal murder of a person with a view to prohibit such person from deposing before the Court in a case against his assailant. This is a case wherein the dead body was cut into two pieces, and thrown at two different places, in order to destroy the evidence.

2. These appeals are directed against the judgment dated 16.08.2010/06.09.2010 passed by the High Court of Judicature at Patna in Criminal Appeal No. 291 of 1988, confirming the judgment of conviction passed against the appellants herein by the 8th Additional Sessions Judge, Sasaram in Sessions Trial No. 192/117 of 1977/1983, for the offences punishable under Section 302 read with Section 149 and Section 201 of the Indian Penal Code. The appellants were sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for life under Section 302 read with Section 149, and a further period of three years under Section 201 of the Indian Penal Code.

3. Seven accused including the appellants were tried. Among the seven accused, two accused have died. Five accused are before us as appellants in these two appeals.

4. The case of the prosecution in brief is that, on 14.10.1973 at 11:00 p