JUDGMENT :

K. SOMASHEKAR, J.

1. The State has preferred this appeal challenging the judgment of acquittal rendered by the Trial Court in S.C. No. 05/2013 dated 02.11.2015 acquitting the accused for offences punishable under Sections 344, 366A, 368, 376, 506 and 114 read with Section 34 of Indian Penal Code, 1860. During the pendency of the case, accused No. 1 namely Ravi C.K. S/o Late Kadanna had died. Consequently appeal against him stood abated vide order dated 04.01.2022. In this appeal the State is seeking to consider the grounds urged and to set aside the acquittal judgment rendered by the Trial Court in S.C. No. 05/2013 and consequently to convict the remaining accused Nos. 2 to 5 for the offences stated supra.

2. Heard the learned HCGP Shri Thejesh P. for the appellant/State and so also, learned counsel Shri Syed Akbar Pasha for respondent No. 3/accused No. 3 who has also taken care of the contentions of respondent Nos. 2, 4 and 5 who are arraigned as accused in the aforesaid acquittal judgment in S.C. No. 05/2013 and also on behalf of counsel who have been engaged by the aforesaid accused. Perused the judgment of acquittal rendered by the Trial Court in S.C. No. 05/2013 dated