1. These appeals are by the accused in S. C. 74 of 1968 on the file of the Sessions Judge of Trivandrum against the conviction and sentence passed on them under S.120-B, 489-A and 489-D of the I. P. C. Accused Nos. 1, 5 and 6 have been sentenced to Rigorous Imprisonment for five years under S.489-A and accused Nos. 2, 3, 4, 7 and 8 sentenced to Rigorous Imprisonment for three years each under the same section. Accused 1, 5 and 6 have been further sentenced to Rigorous Imprisonment for five years under S.489-D and accused 2, 3, 4, 7 and 8 to a further term of Rigorous Imprisonment for three years each under above the above section. Accused 1, 5 and 6 have been further sentenced to Rigorous Imprisonment for five years under S.120-B and the other accused to Rigorous Imprisonment for three years. Sentences are to run concurrently. Criminal Appeal No. 99 is by the 1st accused, 106 by the 7th accused, 116 by the 3rd accused, 123 by the 4th accused, 137 by accused 2,5 and 6, and 144 by accused No. 8.

2. The prosecution case is that accused 1, 5, 6 and 8 entered into a conspiracy in June 1967 to commit the offence of counterfeiting two rupee currency-notes and to traffic in the