D.D. Sinha, J.

1. Heard the learned counsel for the appellant and the learned Addl. Public Prosecutor for the State.

2. This Criminal Appeal is directed against the judgement and order dated 18.10.2003 passed by the learned Addl. Sessions Judge, Greater Mumbai, in Sessions Case No.846 of 1999 whereby the appellant Salim Abdul Razak Baig was convicted for the offence punishable under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code and was sentenced to suffer R.I. for life and was directed to pay fine of Rs.5,000/-, in default to suffer R.I. for one year. The appellant was also convicted for the offence punishable under section 3 read with section 25(1-B) of the Arms Act and was sentenced to suffer R.I. for one year and to pay a fine of Rs.1,000/-, in default to suffer R.I. for three months. The appellant was also convicted for the offence punishable under section 5 read with 27 of the Arms Act and was sentenced to suffer R.I. for one year and to pay a fine of Rs.1,000/-, in default to suffer R.I. for three months. The other co-accused were acquitted of all the charges and the State has not preferred any appeal against the order.

3. The circumstances which have given rise to the pros