K.S. Radhakrishnan, J.

1. Disputes on the sharing of booty among the pick pocketiers, according to the prosecution, led to the killing of Anwar, a fellow pick pocketier. The gruesome incident occurred inside a stage carriage bus bearing registration number KL-13/5290 which was plying from Kozhikode to Guruvayoor. Prosecution version is that the accused persons had caused physical assaults on the deceased by hitting his head on the iron rod fixed on the bus seat, also hitting with bent elbow on his head which resulted in the death of Anwar. The incident had taken place around 4 p.m. on 09/08/1995. On the bus reaching the Valancherry bus stand, cleaner of the bus PW 10 reported the incident to the police constable, Ramachandran, who prepared Ext. P11 report. Based on the report PW 15, Inspector attached to Valancheri police station lodged Ext. P12 FIR. Accused 1 and 2 who had allegedly inflicted serious injuries on Anwar were restrained by some local people and employees of the bus and were handedover to PW 15. Anwar was taken to nearby hospital. PW 12 Medical. Officer who attended the injured at about 7.45 p.m. on 9-8-1995 declared that the injured was brought dead. Ext. P23