Appellants namely Bhagwan Rai, Deo Sharan Rai, Raj Kumar and Bijendra Rai, out of whom Bhagwan Rai and Deo Sharan Rai died, hence instant appeal abated against them, were found guilty vide judgment of conviction and sentence dated 25.06.2002 passed by the Presiding Officer, Additional Court No.II (Fast Track Court), Patna in Sessions Trial No. 869 of 1993/557 of 2002 convicting all the appellants for an offence punishable under Section 304 (Part-I)/149 I.P.C. and directed each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for seven years.

2. Appellants Raj Kumar and Bijendra Rai have further been found guilty for an offence punishable under Section 148 I.P.C. and each one has been directed to undergo rigorous imprisonment for two years under Section 27 of the Arms Act and each one has been directed to undergo R.I. for three years. Appellant Bhagwan Rai, Deosharan Rai (since deceased) have been found guilty for an offence punishable under Section 147 I.P.C. and each one has been directed to undergo rigorous imprisonment for one year with a further direction to run the sentences concurrently.

3. Bereft unnecessary details, the prosecution case as is evident from the fard-bayan of Ma