JUDGMENT :

1. Heard Mr. Pradip Kumar Prasad, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner.

2. Heard Mr. Azeemuddin, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the opposite party-State.

3. The present criminal revision application is directed against the judgment and order dated 15.02.2003 passed by the learned 8th Additional Sessions Judge, Hazaribagh in Cr. Appeal No. 91 of 2002, whereby the learned appellate court dismissed the appeal preferred by the petitioner and affirmed the judgment of conviction and order of sentence dated 24.05.2002 passed by the learned Judicial Magistrate, 1st Class, Hazaribagh in G.R. Case No. 1362/1996, T.R. No. 2090/2002.

4. The learned trial court has convicted the petitioner for offence under Section 379 of the Indian Penal Code and sentenced him to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months under the same section.

5. From perusal of the records of this case, it appears that the present case was admitted vide order dated 29.04.2003 with a clear indication that this application will be heard on the question of sentence only and the petitioner was also directed to be enlarged on bail.

Arguments on behalf of the petitioner

6. Learned counsel appearing