The Criminal Appeals arise out of the judgment of conviction and sentence, dated 7.10.2002 in S.C.Nos.28 of 2000 and 253 of 2001 on the file of the Additional District and Sessions Court (Fast Track Court No.2), Coimbatore, whereby, the appellant (A.1) in Crl.A.No.1478 of 2002 and the appellant (A.4) in Crl.A.No.1580 of 2002 were convicted for the offence under Section 457 IPC and each sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for seven years and to pay a fine of Rs.1,000/- each, in default, each to undergo simple imprisonment for six months and A.1 and A.4 were also convicted for the offence under Section 392 read with 397 IPC and each sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for ten years. The sentences imposed on A.1 and A.4 were directed to run concurrently. The appellant (A.2) in Crl.A.No.1446 of 2002 and the appellant (A.3) in Crl.A.No.1490 of 2002 were convicted for the offence under Section 414 IPC and each sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for two years and to pay a fine of Rs.5,000/- each, in default, to undergo simple imprisonment for six months.

2. The case of the prosecution is as follows:

On the fateful day, on 3.6.1996 at about 8.30 p.m., when