Nishita Mhatre, J.

The present appeal arises from the judgment and order of the Additional Sessions Judge, 1st Court, Suri, Birbhum, in Sessions Case No. 70 of 2000 decided on 11th November, 2010.

2. Eighty one persons were charged for having committed offences under Sections 147, 148, 149, 326, 307, 302, 120B, I.P.C. and Section 9B(2) of the Indian Explosives Act. Seventy six persons were committed for trial on 16th September, 2002. One of the accused was arrested later and he was tried along with the other seventy six accused. The Sessions Court, by its judgment, has convicted 44 of the accused under Section 302 read with Section 149 of the IPC. They have been sentenced to life imprisonment and a fine of `5000/- (Rupees five thousand only) and in default of payment of such fine, six months rigorous imprisonment for each offence. They have also been sentenced to suffer imprisonment for three years and a fine of `1000/- (Rupees one thousand only) for the offence under Section 148, I.P.C. The other accused have been acquitted.

3. Ghastly and vicious crimes have been committed in this case where 11 persons have been murdered. Before proceeding with the matter, it is necessar