JUDGMENT :

Shree Chandrashekhar, J.

Mohan Sao and Birendra Sao who are convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for life with a fine of Rs. 10,000/- each under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code with a default stipulation to undergo RI for six months have challenged the judgment in Sessions Trial No. 19 of 2014 by filing Criminal Appeal (DB) No. 775 of 2018.

2. Criminal Appeal (DB) No. 976 of 2023 has been filed by Nand Kishor Sao, his wife Leelawati Devi and daughter Sangeeta Kumari who are convicted and sentenced on separate counts for committing the offence under section 324/34 of the Indian Penal Code in the aforementioned sessions trial.

3. Deepak Sao who has been convicted and awarded RI for four years for committing the offence under section 326 of the Indian Penal Code in Sessions Trial No. 19 of 2014 is the appellant in Criminal Appeal (DB) No. 977 of 2023.

4. In Sessions Trial No. 19 of 2014, seven accused were put on trial and twenty witnesses were examined by the prosecution to establish the charge under section 307/149 of the Indian Penal Code against Leelawati Devi, Sangeeta Kumari, Birendra Sao, Mohan Sao, Deepak Sao and Nand Kishor Sao; charge under section 302/149 of t