S. Nagamuthu, J.

The appellants are the accused Nos. 1 to 17 in S.C. No. 32 of 2010 on the file of the learned Principal District & Sessions Judge, Cuddalore. The 1st appellant in Crl. A. No. 548 of 2012, who is arrayed as accused No.8, died during the pendency of the appeal. The Trial Court framed as many as 19 charges against the accused Nos.1 to 17, as detailed below :-

Sl. No.	Charge Number	Rank of Accused	Penal Provision
1	Charge No.1	Accused Nos. 1 to 17	147 IPC
2	Charge No.2	Accused Nos. 1 to 6, 9, 13 & 14	148 IPC
3	Charge No.3	Accused Nos. 1 to 17	449 IPC
4	Charge No.4	Accused Nos.1, 2,6, 9, 10 & 14	302 IPC
5	Charge No.5	Accused Nos.3 to 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 15 to 17	302 r/w.149 IPC
6	Charge No.6	Accused Nos.5,6&9	324 IPC
7	Charge No.7	Accused Nos.10 to 12	323 IPC
8	Charge No.8	Accused No.7	323 IPC (2 counts)
9	Charge No.9	Accused No.13	324 IPC (2 counts)
10	Charge No.10	Accused No.2	324 IPC (3 counts)
11	Charge No.11	Accused No.1	324 IPC
12	Charge No.12	Accused No.5	326 IPC
13	Charge No.13	Accused No.3	324 IPC (2 counts)
14	Charge No.14	Accused No.4	324 IPC (2 counts)
15	Charge No.15	Accused Nos.1 to 17	506 (ii) IPC
16	Charge No.16	Accused Nos.1 to 17	Section 3(1) of the Tamil Nadu Property (Prevention of Damage and Loss) Act, 1992
17	Charge No.17	Accused Nos.1 to 17	Section 3(1) of the Tamil Nadu Property (Prevention of Damage and Loss) Act, 1992
18	Charge No.18	Accused Nos.1 to 17	Section 3(1) of the Tamil Nadu Property (Prevention of Damage and Loss) Act, 1992
19	Charge No.19	Accused Nos.1 to 17	Section 3(1) of the Tamil Nadu Property (Prevention of Damage and Loss) Act, 1992

The Trial Court, by common judgment, dated 30.07.2012, convicted all the 17 accused under the following charges and accordingly, punished them as detailed below:-

Sl. No.	Charge No.	Rank of Accused	Conviction	Sentence
1	Charge No.1	Accused Nos.1 to 17	147 IPC	To undergo two years rigorous imprisonment.
2	Charge No.2	Accused Nos.1 to 6, 9, 13& 14	148 IPC	To undergo three years rigorous imprisonment.
3	Charge No.3	Accused Nos.1 to 17	449 IPC	To undergo ten years rigorous imprisonment.
4	Charge No.4	Accused Nos.1, 2, 6, 9, 10 and 14	302 IPC	To undergo life imprisonment and to pay a fine of Rs.1000/- in default to undergo simple imprisonment for 15 days.
5	Charge No.5	Accused Nos.3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16 & 17	Section 302 r/w.149 IPC	To undergo life imprisonment and to pay a fine of Rs.1000/- in default to undergo simple imprisonment for 15 days.
6	Charge No.6	Accused No.5 Accused No.6 Accused No.9	Section 324 IPC (2 counts) Section 324 IPC Section 324 IPC	Acquitted To undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years. Acquitted
7	Charge No.7	Accused Nos. 10, 11&12	Section 323 IPC	To undergo rigorous imprisonment for one year.
8	Charge No.8	Accused No.7	Section 323 IPC (2 counts)	Acquitted.
9	Charge No.9	Accused No.13	Section 324 IPC (2 counts)	To undergo three years rigorous imprisonment (one count)
10	Charge No.10	Accused No.2.	Section 324 IPC (3 counts)	Acquitted.
11	Charge No.11	Accused No.1	324 IPC	To undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years.
12	Charge No.12	Accused No.5	326 IPC	To undergo rigorous imprisonment for seven years.
13	Charge No.13	Accused No.3	324 IPC (2 counts)	To undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years (one count)
14	Charge No.14	Accused No.4	324 IPC (2 counts)	To undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years (one count)
15	Charge No.15	Accused Nos.1 to 17	506 (ii) IPC	To undergo rigorous imprisonment for two years.