D.G.R. Patnaik, J.

1. The appellants were put on trial for the offence under Section 302 and 302/149 of the Indian Penal Code. While appellant No. 1 Budin Hansda was convicted for the offence under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code, remaining accused were convicted for the offence under Section 302/149 of the Indian Penal Code and all of them were sentenced to undergo imprisonment for life by the trial court.

2. Prosecution case relates to the murder of one Dhena Marandi, a resident of village Mol Pahari Bathan situated at about 15 km from the nearest police station namely Pakuria police station in the district of Pakur. The incident had occurred in the evening of 18.4.1995. A dispute over certain land was pending between the informant and his family members an one side and the accused Budin Hansda and Girish Marandi on the other side. A panchayati was to be held to resolve the dispute on 18.4.1995. A pradhan of village namely Johan Murmu (PW9), Amin namely Gulam Rasool Mian (PW 10) and two other Amines of another village besides others including Dhena Marandi (deceased) were present at the panchayat meeting. At that time, accused persons namely. Budin Hansda, Dhemka Hans