JUDGMENT :

K. Natarajan, J.

1. This appeal is filed by the appellant/accused Nos. 1, 3, 4 and 7 against the judgment of conviction and order of sentence passed by the Principal District and Sessions Judge, Dharwad in Sessions Case No. 40/2018 dated 23.08.2019, wherein accused Nos. 1 to 4, 7 and 8 found guilty and convicted for the offences punishable under Sections 86, 87, 73(d) and 24(e) of the Karnataka Forest Act, 1963 (for short 'the KF Act') sentencing imprisonment for 5 years and to pay fine of Rs. 50,000/- each for the offence punishable under Section 86 of the KF Act and 5 years and fine of Rs. 50,000/- each for the offence punishable under Section 87 of the KF Act, 6 months for the offence punishable under Section 73(d) of the KF Act and further 6 months for Section 24(e) of KF Act and 6 months for the offence punishable under Section 379 of IPC.

2. I have heard the learned counsel for the appellants/accused Nos. 1, 3, 4 and 7 and learned HCGP for respondent-State.

3. The ranks of the parties before the trial Court is retained for the purpose of convenience.

4. The facts of the case of prosecution is that the Range Forest Officer, Dharwad Range filed charge sheet against 13 acc