JUDGMENT

T. Sudanthiram, J.—The appellants in C.A.No.546 of 2004, 569 of 2004 and 752 of 2004 are the accused in S.C.No.3 of 1999, on the file of the II Additional Sessions Judge, Pondicherry. The appellants in C.A.No.546 of 2004 are A.17, A.18 and A.19 and appellants in C.A.No.659 of 2004 are A.7 and A.15. The appellants in C.A.No.756 of 2004 are 1, 3 to 5, 8 to 12, 14, 16, 20, 21, 22. The accused 2, 6 and 13 have died pending trial. All the remaining accused were convicted and sentenced by the trial Court as follows:

Accused 1, 3 to 5, 7 to 9, 11, 14 to 16, 20 to 22 were convicted under Sections 148, 427, 307 (two counts), 448 and 304(ii) r/w 149 IPC and accused 10, 12, 17 to 18 were convicted under Sections 148, 427, 307 (two counts) and 304 (II) IPC r/w 149 IPC and each one of them sentenced to undergo two years rigorous imprisonment for the offence under Section 148 IPC; one year rigorous imprisonment for the offence under Section 427 IPC; five years rigorous imprisonment and to pay the fine of Rs.3000/- in default to undergo six months simple imprisonment for the offences under Section 307 IPC; sentenced to undergo six months rigorous imprisonment for the offence under Sectio