B.P.Sharma, J.

1. The reference in this case has been made under Sec. 366 of the Code of Criminal Procedure against the sentence of death passed by the Trial Court in ST No. 8 of 1996/307 of 1994. The learned 1st Additional Sessions Judge, Gaya has passed the order of conviction again all the six appellants under Sec. 302 read with Sec. 34 of the Indian Penal Code and has sentenced all the six appellants to death. The learned Trial Court also convicted the six appellants under Sec. 201 of the Indian Penal Code, but did not pass any separate sentence under this count, as the death sentence has been passed under Section 302, IPC. Being aggrieved by and dissatisfied with the judgment and the order of the Trial Court passed on 13th September, 1996, the appellants have also preferred the instant appeals, as mentioned above, and the Court has also made reference of the case for confirmation of the death sentence awarded by him in this case.

2. This case may be treated as one of the most sensational trials of the recent years so far the State of Bihar is concerned. It is not on account of the fact that this is a case of triple murder, because several massacres have taken place in