JUDGMENT

Dharam Chand Chaudhary, J.—Appellants, hereinafter called as accused persons, in both the appeals are convicts. The principal accused is Rattan Chand, appellant in Criminal Appeal No. 493 of 2015. He has been convicted by learned Additional Sessions Judge, Chamba, District Chamba, H.P. for the commission of the offence punishable under Sections 302 and 404 of the Indian Penal Code, whereas acquitted of the charge framed against him under Section 376 of the Code. His co-accused Vikash Puri, the appellant in connected appeal No. 176 of 2015 has been held guilty and convicted for the commission of offence punishable under Section 411 of the Indian Penal Code. Accused Rattan Chand has been sentenced to undergo imprisonment for life and to pay Rs.20,000/- as fine for the commission of offence punishable under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code and further to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years for the commission of offence punishable under Section 404 of the Code, whereas accused Vikash Puri has been sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years and to pay Rs.5000/- as fine for the commission of the offence punishable under Section 411 of the Indian Pen