JUDGMENT

Srinivasan, J- The appellants in these two appeals were accused 1, 2 and 3 before the Court of Sessions Judge, Tikamgarh, Madhya Pradesh in Sessions Case No. 39/ 91. There were 22 accused apart from 4 persons who had absconded. Some were convicted by the Sessions Judge vide his judgment dated 1.10.1993. On appeals the High Court confirmed the conviction and sentence of these three appellants with some modification and acquitted the rest.

2. On 25.6.1990 the accused and the 4 absconding persons were said to be cultivating a land known as 'Kothotiya Har' Though pattas had been issued in favour of some of the accused and the land was registered in their name, there were disputes relating to the same which were pending before the Revenue Authorities. The rival claimants claimed to be in possession of the land and were protesting against the claim of the accused and resisting the attempts of the accused to plough the land. On the aforesaid date the occurrence took place between the two groups resulting in the death of 4 persons of the complainant's group. The appellants and the other accused were charged with offences under Sections 147, 148,302/149 and 307/149 I.P.C. two of th