JUDGMENT - A.V. SAVANT, J. :---Heard both the learned Counsel.

2.This is a writ petition filed by the State of Maharashtra, challenging the two orders; one dated 18th January 1997 which is passed below Exhibit "B" to this writ petition and the other dated 20th January 1997 which is passed below Exhibit C" to this writ petition. In substance, the learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Kolhapur, has rejected the application of the State for permission to file a single charge-sheet in respect of several offences which are alleged to have been committed by the respondents-accused in the course of the same transaction in what has been referred to as "Bal Hatya Kand", which means children's massacre. The facts which emerge from the single charge-sheet that was submitted before the learned Magistrate are as under.

3.Four accused viz. respondent No. 1 Anjanabai and her two daughters; respondent No. 2 Renuka and respondent No. 3 Seema, and the fourth respondent Kiran Shinde, who is husband of respondent No. 2 Renuka, had entered into a conspiracy to commit the offences of theft, including chain-snatching and pick-pocketing at crowded places such as State Transport Bus Stands, Railway Stations,

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