JUDGMENT

T.S. Thakur, J. — These appeals arise out a common judgment and order dated 21st January, 2009 passed by the High Court of Gujarat at Ahmedabad whereby Criminal Appeal No. 244 of 2000 filed by Gautam Kumar @ Sudhir Kumar Manila) and Criminal Appeal No. 99 of 2000 filed by Vijay Ranglal Chorasiya against their conviction and sentence of imprisonment for life have been dismissed while Acquittal Appeal No. 1326 of 2006 filed by the State against the acquittal of Gautam Kumar Devijibhai (appellant in Criminal Appeal No. 1125 of 2009) has been allowed and the said appellant convicted for offences punishable under Sections 364A read with Section l20B IPC and sentenced to undergo imprisonment for life. Conviction and sentences awarded to the appellants Gautam Ramanuj @ Sudhir Kumar Manilal and Vijay Ranglal Chorasiya under Section 364 read with Section 120(B), Sections 341, 342, 343 and 346 read with Section 34 IPC have also been upheld by the High Court with the direction that the sentences shall run concurrently.

2. Manish, examined at the trial as PW13 in Sessions Case No. 99 of 1998, was on 15th July, 1997 returning home from his office around 7.30 p.m. in his Maruti car bear