R. CHANDRA, J. :-Jagnu and Mahesh Singh, residents of village Jamsara, Mina of Chandrapur, Mohan of Kantha, Rampal Singh and Ram Singh of Masurha, Jawahar, Chhotey Lal and Gayari of Virahimpur, Harihar Singh of Jagsura - all within the police circle Sandila - and Sumer of village Sahoria, within the police circle Baghauli, in the district of Hardoi, were tried for the offences under Section 399/402, Indian Penal Code, by the Assistant Sessions Judge Hardoi. The charge against them was that on the night between the 18th and 19th December, 1963 they collected in the grove of Ram Nath in village Bhargahna after having made preparations to commit dacoity at the house of Khurram Chamar, lagnu, Sumer and Jawahar were further charged under Section 25(a) of the Arms Act. Jagnu, Mohan, Sumer and Harihar Singh were acquitted. The remaining seven, namely, Mahesh Singh Minna, Ram Pal Singh, Ram Singh, Jawahar, Chhotey Lal and Gayari were convicted and awarded five years' rigorous imprisonment each under Sections 399 and 402 Indian Penal Code, (each count). Jawahar was also sentenced to one year's rigorous imprisonment under Section 25(a) of the Arms Act. The State has filed Criminal A