Petitioner/first accused in C.C. 15 of 1996 has preferred the revision aggrieved against the conviction and sentence imposed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Tirunelveli by an order dated 4-11-98.

2. The case in brief is as follows : The Inspector of Police, Ambasamudhram laid a charge-sheet against the petitioner as well as two other persons for offences u/Ss. 326, 324 and 323, IPC. On 16-6-95 at about 7-15 p.m. in Idaikal Road, Kovilkulam near the Godown belonging to one Rajalingaraja, the accused with common intention to cause hurt to witnesses, the 1st accused armed with Aruval cut one Periyasamy and caused grievous injury. The second accused with Aruval caused simple hurt to one Selvakumar and the 3rd accused beat one Natesan with stick and caused simple injury. P.W. 1 Periyasamy is the father of P.Ws. 3 and 4, P.W. 2 Selvakumar is the nephew of P.W. 1. P.Ws. 1 to 4 have lands in the village at Kovilkulam. On 16-6-95 at about 7.00 p.m. P.W. 1 was watering his field. P.Ws. 2 and 3 were with him. The first accused came there and diverted the water flowing to the land of P.W. 1. He requested the petitioner to wait for sometime, so that his lands could be wate