JUDGMENT :

N.V. Ramana, J.

1. These appeals by special leave petitions, are preferred by two accused persons, namely Sobhat Singh and Suresh, against the conviction imposed by the High Court and the consequential acquittal of other persons, namely Dharampal and Umed Singh, sons of Beg Raj and Dharambir, passed by the High Court of Punjab and Haryana in Crl. Appeal No. 157DB of 2002, 273DB of 2002, 920SB of 2002, 751DBA of 2002 and Crl. Revision No. 907 of 2004. Facts being connected and issues being similar, we would like to deal with these appeals by a common judgment.

2. Few facts which are necessary for the disposal of these cases are that a panchayat election was held on 15.12.1994, in the village Sundawas, where there were two major contestants namely Maha Singh and Dharampal son of Beg Raj. Deceased Chander Bhan was an election agent for the losing candidate Maha Singh. It is necessary to note that there was a quarrel including gun shots being fired at around 11 A.M, on the day of election between both factions, as a result of which supporters of Dharampal son of Beg Raj (wi