This is an application in revision by Mardan and others who have been convicted under S. 379, Penal Code and sentenced to three months rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 25 each by an order of the learned Sessions Judge hearing an appeal against an order of a learned Magistrate. The learned Magistrate had originally sentenced the applicants to sis months rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 100. This sentence was reduced in appeal, as stated above.

2. The point raised by learned counsel is a very short one, while the case was pending before the Magistrate, an application for transfer of the case was made by the applicants to the District Magistrate on 24th March 1949. The proceedings were, however, not stayed during the hearing of this transfer application. On 1st April 1949, the defence produced its evidence before the Magistrate, the prosecution evidence having already been taken before the transfer application had been made. On 4th April the District Magistrate passed an order that the case be transferred to another Court. This order, however, does not appear to have been communicated to the Magistrate or even to the parties concerned, with the result that on 8t