JUDGMENT :

Sujit Narayan Prasad, J.

1. Before proceeding further, it would be apt to mention herein that out of the ten convicts, as per the impugned judgment, eight appellants preferred Cr. Appeal (DB) No. 3 of 1997 whereas two appellants, namely, Kedar Rai and Sk. Ainudi preferred Cr. Appeal (DB) No. 40 of 1997. Both the appeals were tagged together since they arise out of the common judgment of conviction and order of sentence.

2. It appears from order dated 28.02.2019 passed by the Co-ordinate Bench of this Court that a report was submitted by the Officer-in-Charge, Mahagama Police Station dated 24.02.2019 regarding the status of the appellants in the present appeal [Cr. Appeal (DB) No. 3 of 1997] and Cr. Appeal (DB) No. 40 of 1997, which was tagged together. As per report supported by the certificates of the Mukhiya the appellant no. 1 Chhaku Nadaf, son of late Astuli Nadaf, appellant no. 5 Pagal Ray, son of late Kishan Rai, appellant no. 6 Basant Sikdar, son of late Sayu @ Sanu Sikdar and appellant no. 7 Sanu Sikdar, son of late Bishu Sikdar so far Cr. Appeal No. 3/1997 (DB) is concerned have died during pendency of the appeal. No leave has been sought by any of the legal heirs/