JUDGMENT :

Pushpendra Singh Bhati, J.

1. These criminal appeals under Section 374(2) Cr.P.C. have been preferred claiming, in sum and substance, the following reliefs :

“It is therefore, respectfully prayed that this appeal may kindly be accepted and accused appellants may be acquitted of the charges levelled against him and they be set at liberty.”

2. The matters pertain to an incident which occurred in the year 1986 and the present appeals have been pending since the year 1988.

3. The accused-appellants laid a challenge to the judgment of conviction and order of sentence dated 18.01.1988 passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge No.2, Hanumangarh, Camp Suratgarh, in Sessions Case 30/86 (State of Rajasthan Vs. Dhamaram & Ors.), whereby the accused-appellants Dhama Ram and Khajan Ram have been convicted for the offence punishable under Section 302 IPC and sentenced for life imprisonment and fine with default clause. Accused-appellants Taru Ram and Luna Ram have been convicted for the offences punishable under Sections 143, 323/149 & 324/149 IPC and sentenced for different period of imprisonments, ranging to maximum one year’s rigorous imprisonment.

3.1. Other accused Kartar and Jag