( 1 ) ON 23-3-1956, one Pedda Ranga Reddy of Chitrachedu village was murdered in his own house. Alleging that it was the eight appellants and nine others who committed the offence, the police of Teliki charge-sheeted them all for various offences. The Sessions Judge of Anantapur who tried them found only Accused 1 to 8 guilty of some offence and acquitted the Test. Accused 1 to 8, the appellants before us, were convicted under Section 148 I. P. C. , and sentenced to two years rigorous imprisonment. In addition, A-1 and A-2 were sentenced to death under Section 302 while the rest were found guilty under Section 302 read with Section 149 I. P. C. , and given life imprisonment. The 3rd and 4th Accused were also convicted under Section 19 of the Indian Arms Act and sentenced to one years rigorous imprisonment.

( 2 ) THE facts of the case for the prosecution may be briefly stated ; The village of Chitrachedu was torn by factions one headed by the deceased and his son P. W. 1 while A-l to A-S were the prominent members of other faction. In June, 1955, one Papireddy alias Papodu was murdered. In connection with that case, P. W. 1 and his paternal uncle China Ranga-reddy were put