JUDGMENT :

PANKAJ MITHAL, J.

1. Heard learned counsel for the parties.

2. Four persons namely Manja alias Amit Mishra, Jitendra Kumar Mishra @ Jittu, Gledwin alias Banti Isai and Ajay alias Ajayya were convicted to life imprisonment under Section 302 r/w 34 IPC with a fine of Rs. 5000/- each, and in default of payment of fine with a further rigorous imprisonment for six months in Sessions Trial Number 378 of 2007 vide judgment and order dated 15.09.2008 passed by the 13th Additional Session Judge (Fast Track), Jabalpur, M.P.

3. On appeals, i.e. Criminal Appeal No. 2031 of 2008 preferred by Manja @ Amit Mishra and Jitendra Kumar Mishra @ Jittu together and Criminal Appeal No. 2237 of 2008 preferred by Gledwin @ Banti Isai and Ajay @ Ajayya together, the conviction and sentence awarded by the Session Trial was upheld and both the appeals were dismissed by the High Court.

4. It is in connection with the aforesaid Sessions trial and the conviction of the appellants under Section 302/34 IPC that the present appeals have been preferred one by Manja @ Amit Mishra and Jitendra Kumar Mishra @ Jittu and another by Gledwin @ Banti Isai and Ajay @ Ajayya. Both the appeals were tagged and leave to a