JUDGMENT :

P.G.Ajithkumar, J.

These appeals are filed under Section 374(2) of the Code of Criminal of Procedure, 1973. The Sessions Court, Palakkad tried accused Nos.1 to 9 in S.C.No.382 of 2014. Pending trial, accused Nos.4 turned an approver. On the conclusion of the trial, accused Nos.1 to 3 were convicted and sentenced for the offence punishable under Sections 120B, 201, 302 and 397 read with Section 34 of Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC). Accused Nos.5 and 8 were convicted and sentenced under Sections 118 and 120B read with Section 34 of the IPC. Accused Nos.6 and 7 were convicted and sentenced for the offence under Section 118 of the IPC. The 9th accused was acquitted. The 1st accused did not prefer any appeal.

2. On 27.05.2020 accused Nos. 1 to 8 were found guilty and convicted. Accused Nos. 1, 2, 4, 7 and 8 were sentenced on the same day. Since accused Nos. 3, 5 and 6 absconded, their sentencing was postponed and the case against them was refiled as Sessions Case No.351 of 2020. On procuring their presence, accused Nos.6, 3 and 5 were sentenced, respectively, on 06.08.2020, 1