B.H. Marlapalle, J.

1. This criminal appeal filed under Section 374(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, arises from the order of conviction and sentence passed in Sessions Case No. 79 of 1986 on 15/1/1988 by the learned Additional Sessions Judge - Sessions Court, Mumbai, thereby convicting the appellant for the offences punishable under Sections 302 and 381 of I.P.C. for causing the murder of two of his colleagues i.e. Omprakash Dubey - Midshipman and Hanumansingh Rathod -Seaman on 24/11/1985 at about 11.30 a.m. while on board INS Ranjit. He has been sentenced to suffer life imprisonment for the offence punishable under Section 302 and RI for five years for the offence punishable under Section 381 of I.P.C. The appellant was on bail during trial and he continued to be on bail during the pendency of this appeal as well. Thus, during the last more than 24 years he has been on bail and this appeal for some or the other reasons remained pending before this court for more than 21 years, though it arises from the double murder of young sailors at the hands of one of their own colleagues.

The appellant was born in 1963 and completed his graduation in 1984. He was commissi