ORDER :

1. Criminal Appeals Nos. 1181, 1182, 1762 of 2019 and 44 of 2020 are preferred by accused Goutam Joardar; Kartick Das and Biltu Bhattacharya; Shibu Kahar @ Dodan @ Dhuma and Raju Rabidas @ Shera challenging the common judgment and order dated 13.03.2019 passed by the High Court of Judicature at Calcutta dismissing the appeals preferred by said accused and confirming their conviction and sentence recorded by the Sessions Judge, Malda in Sessions Trial No. 07 of 2012.

2. The basic facts including the case of the prosecution as are discernible from the judgment of the High Court are as under:

“Prosecution case as alleged against the appellants is to the effect that the appellants are dangerous and desperate men who were terrorising the fish traders in the locality. Meeting was convened by the merchant association over the issue and the appellants gave an undertaking that they will not create trouble. On 29th April, 2011, the appellants came to the fish stall of one Ajoy Dey, (PW-1) and his elder brother Paritosh Dey @ Akal, the deceased herein ransacked their fish stall and looted money and fish as therefrom. The matter was informed to the police station as well as the local traders’ association. Proceeding under Section 107 of the Code of Criminal Procedure was initiated against him. Thereafter, the appellants again threatened the victim and his brother with dire consequences.

Finally, on 8.5.2011 at 6.30 A.M. the appellants accosted the victim in front of R.S.P. party office and assaulted him on his neck and shoulder with sharp cutting weapons and shot at the victim. As a result, the victim died. Over this incident, his brother Ajoy Dey, PW-1 lodged first information report resulting in registration of Balurghat P.S. Case No. 218 of 2011 dated 08.05.2011 under Sections 302/120B of the Indian Penal Code read with Section 27(3) of the Arms Act.

In the course of investigation, the appellants were arrested and pursuant to the statement of Goutam Joarder one revolver with cartridge was recovered. On the statement of Shibu Kahar @ Dodon @ Dhuma a dagger and a bhojali were also recovered. Post mortem was conducted on the body of the victim and fragment of bullet was recovered from his body. Ballistic report was obtained with regard to seized fire arms and the bullet fragment recovered from the body of the victim. In conclusion of investigation, charge-sheet was filed against the appellants and others. Pursuant to direction passed by this Court in CRR No. 3402 of 2011, the case was transferred to the Court of Sessions, Malda for trial and disposal. Charges were framed under Sections 302/120B IPC and under section 27(3) of the Arms Act. Co-accused Khokon Karmakar and Anay Upadhyay assailed the framing of charge before this court in CRR No. 2559 of 2012 and a learned Judge of this court by order dated 06.08.2012 quashed the charges framed against the said co-accused. In the course of trial, prosecution examined 37 witnesses and exhibited number of documents. Defence of the appellants was one of innocence and false implication.”

3. Thus, six persons were tried in Sessions Trial No. 07 of 2012 on the file of the Court of Sessions Judge, Malda in respect of the offences punishable under Sections 302/120B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 read with Section 27(3) of the Arms Act, 1959.

4. The Trial Court by its judgment dated 14.12.2012 accepted the case of the prosecution and convicted accused Goutam Joardar, Kartick Das and Biltu Bhattacharya, Shibu Kahar @ Dodan @ Dhuma and Raju Rabidas @ Shera, but acquitted accused Babun Sarkar. By order dated 15.12.2012, the Trial Court sentenced the accused as under:

“That the convict Goutam Joarder is hereby sentenced to suffer imprisonment for life and pay a fine of Rs. 5,000/- (five thousand), in default to pay fine to S.I. for six months more for the offence u/s 302/34 of the I.P.C.

That the convict Shibhu Kahar @ Dodan @ Dhuma is hereby sentenced to suffer imprisonment for life and to pay a fine of Rs