Hima Kohli, J.

A challenge has been laid in these three appeals to a common judgment dated 12.2.2004, passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge in Sessions Case No. 57/2002 arising out of FIR No.25/2002 registered under Sections 363/364-A/368 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (in short 'IPC'), whereunder all the three appellants have been held guilty of entering into a criminal conspiracy of kidnapping an 8/10 years old boy, Bharat Singh @ Bunty and demanding ransom from his father for his release. All the three appellants have been convicted under Section 120-B IPC and Sections 364-A/368 IPC read with Section 120-B IPC. Vide order on sentence dated 13.2.2004, the appellants were sentenced to undergo life imprisonment and to pay fine of Rs. 10,000/- each, failing which they have been directed to undergo rigorous imprisonment for two years each. Pertinently, there were four co- accused in the present case. Three accused persons, namely, accused No.2, Gauri Shankar Sharma (appellant in Criminal Appeal No.643/2018), his wife, accused No.3, Lilawati (appellant in Criminal Appeal No.680/2004) and accused No.4, Vipin Kumar Saini (appellant in Criminal Appeal No.21