B.D.Singh, J.

1. This application under Article 227 of the Constitution of India has been preferred by three petitioners, namely, Jokhan Singh, Baleshwar Singh and Vijay Narain Singh, against the judgment of the sub-divisional officer, opposite party No. 7, passed under Section 73 of the Bihar Panchayat Hai Act, 1947 (hereinafter referred to as the Act) confirming the judgment and order of the Gram Cutcherry dated the 18th April, 1969, convicting petitioner No. 1 under Section 357 of the Indian Penal Code (hereinafter referred to as the Code) and sentencing him to a fine of Rs. 2/- and in default to undergo 12 hours simple imprisonment; petitioner No. 2 under Sec.294 of the Code and sentencing him to pay a fine of Re. 1/- and in default to undergo simple imprisonment for 8 hours and petitioner No. 3 under Sections 323 and 294 of the Code and sentencing him under the former section to a fine of Rs. 2/- and under the latter Section Re. 1/- and in default of payment of fines under those two sections simple imprisonment for one day.

2. A case was instituted against the petitioners at the instance of Marjad Koeri (opposite party No. 1) on the allegation that on the 30th January,