JUDGMENT

Chakradhari Sharan Singh, J. - In the present criminal appeal, twelve appellants have assailed the judgment of conviction and sentence recorded by the learned Ad hoc Additional Sessions Judge-II, Bagaha, whereby they have been held guilty of committing offences punishable under Sections 302, 323 read with Section 149 of the Indian Penal Code. Besides, the appellants No. 1, 8 and 9 have been held guilty, of the offence punishable under Section 148 of the IPC whereas the rest nine have been held guilty of the offence punishable under Section 147 of the IPC. The appellants have been sentenced to undergo imprisonment for life and payment of fine of Rs. 5,000/- and in default of payment of fine, further rigorous imprisonment for six months, for the offence punishable under Section 302 read with Section 149 of the IPC and to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a term of six months for the offence punishable under Section 323 read with Section 149 of the IPC. Appellants No. 1, 8 and 9 have been sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a term of two years for the offence punishable under Section 148 of the IPC. Rest of the appellants, other than Appellants No. 1, 8 and 9; have