( 1 ) THIS appeal is directed against the judgment, dated 20. 2. 2008 passed by the I-Additional Sessions Judge, East Godavari at Rajahmundry (Designated Court to try the offences under the Schedules Castes and Scheduled tribes, Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989)in SC ST S. C. No. 68 of 2005.

( 2 ) THE appellants were tried by the learned Additional Sessions Judge for the charges under Sections 302 read with 34 ipc, 326 read with 34 IPC and also for the offence under Section 3 (ii) (v) of SC and ST (POA) Act, 1989 and at the termination of the trial, the appellants were acquitted of the offence under Section 3 (ii) (v) of SC and st (POA) Act, 1989, but were convicted for the offences under Section 302 r/w 34 IPC and also under Section 325 r/w 34 IPC. They were sentenced to undergo imprisonment for life and also to pay fine of As. 1,000 each for the offence under Section 302 r/w 34 IPC and further sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of five years and to pay a fine of Rs. 500 for the offence under section 325 r/w 34 IPC.

( 3 ) CHALLENGING the said order of conviction and sentence, the appellants preferred the present appeal.

( 4 ) BRIEFLY stated