JUDGMENT :

M. Satyanarayana Murthy, J.

1. The State preferred this appeal challenging the calendar and judgment, acquitting respondent Nos.1 to 5 who were accused in Sessions Case No.40 of 2007 on the file of I Additional District & Sessions Judge, Srikakulam, finding them not guilty for various offences punishable under Sections 148, 427, 302 and 324 read with 149 of Indian Penal Code (for short I.P.C).

For the sake of convenience and to avoid confusion, the parties to the appeal will be, hereinafter referred to as arrayed before the Sessions Court.

2. Respondent Nos.1 to 5 were tried for the offences punishable under Sections 148, 427, 302 and 324 read with 149 of IPC by the Sessions Court, after full fledged trial and after considering the evidence, the accused were found not guilty by the Sessions Court, acquitted them.

3. The case of the prosecution in brief is that on 02.06.2005 Palaka Pavitra (P.W.4) went to the house of her friend A. Tejalu (P.W.7) and slept on the verandah of their house. A3 who is aged about sixty years went to the house of A. Tejalu (P.W.7), lifted skirt (langa) of Palaka Pavitra (P.W.4), touched her private parts, which was witnessed by A. Tejalu (P.W.7) who