ORDER :

Hearing resumed.

2. Put up for further hearing at 10.30 a.m. on 4th February, 2017.

3. After the argument for the accused persons by Mr. M.L. Sharma and Mr. A.P. Singh, learned counsel were advanced, we thought it appropriate to hear the learned friends of the Court and, accordingly, we have heard Mr. Raju Ramachandran and Mr. Sanjay R. Hegde, learned senior counsel. It is worthy to note here that Mr. Hegde, learned senior counsel argued on the sustainability of the conviction on many a ground and submitted a written note of submission. Mr. Ramachandran, learned senior counsel, inter alia, emphasized on the aspect of sentence imposed by the trial court which has been confirmed under Section 366 Cr.P.C. While arguing with regard to the imposition of the capital punishment on the accused persons, one of the main submissions of Mr. Ramachandran was that neither the trial court nor the High Court has followed the mandate enshrined under section 235(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Section 235(2) Cr.P.C. reads as follows:-

"235. Judgment of acquittal or conviction.-

(1) After hearing arguments and points of law (if any), the Judge shall give a judgment in the case.

(2) If the acc