( 1 ) THIS criminal revision petition is preferred by the petitioners against the order dated 11-7-1988 passed by the learned Principal Sessions Judge, Shimoga, in Criminal Appeals Nos. 27 and 29 of 82 confirming the Judgment of conviction and sentence passed by the learned II Additional Munsiff and Judicial Magistrate, First Class, II Court, Shimoga, in C. C. No. 394/ 81.

( 2 ) I have heard the learned Counsel for the petitioners and the learned High Court Government Pleader fully and perused the records of the case.

( 3 ) THE four revision petitions were the accused in C. C. No. 394/81 on the file of the II Additional Munsiff and Judicial Magistrate, First Class, Shimoga.

( 4 ) THE case of the prosecution in brief is as follows: that on 30-9-1978 the Range Forest Officer Syed Inayuthulla received credible information that at Hirebylu Forest in Mandagadde Hobli, Thirthahalli Taluk some persons were removing sandalwood. He collected the staff and panchas and proceeded to the said area and waited for some time. When they were waiting so they saw petitioners 1 to 4 coming from the forest carrying a sandalwood log each. The petitioners on seeing the forest officials th