Per: HONOURABLE JUSTICE SMT. ANJANA PRAKASH

Seven appeals were filed against the judgment dated 12th August, 1988 passed by the 4th Additional Sessions Judge, Gaya, in Sessions Trial No.10 of 1985/04 of 1985.

2. Out of the aforesaid cases, Cr. Appeal No.436 of 1988, Cr. Appeal No.448 of 1988 and Cr. Appeal No.534 of 1988 have abated on account of death of four appellants, namely, 1. Amna Khatoon, 2.Hiramani Devi, 3. Baiju Lal Singh and 4. Ram Niwas Singh.

3. The remaining appeals are Cr. Appeal No.446 of 1988 filed by Kanti Devi, who has been sentenced to under rigorous imprisonment for five years under Section(s) 412 Indian Penal Code, Cr. Appeal No. 496 of 1988 has been filed on behalf of Khalil Mian, Ramta Singh and Harakh Singh, who have been sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for seven years under Section(s) 412 Indian Penal Code, Cr. Appeal No.518 of 1988 and Cr. Appeal No.539 of 1988 preferred on behalf of Binod Singh and Vijay Singh, both of them have been convicted under Section(s) 396 and 412 Indian Penal Code and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for life and seven years respectively. All the sentences were ordered to run concurrently.

4. The