2026:BHC-AUG:2430-DB IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY BENCH AT AURANGABAD CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 302 OF 2003 The State of Maharashtra ... Appellant Through Virgaon Police Station, (Ori.

Tq. Vaijapur, Dist. Aurangabad Complainant)

VERSUS

1. Nandkumar s/o Maruti Chavan Age 29 years, Occu: Nil R/o Bhagur Tq. Vaijapur Dist. Aurangabad

2. Vijay s/o Maruti Chavan ... Respondents Age 30 years, Occu: Agri. (Orig. Accused)

R/o As above

3. Sunanda s/o Vijay Chavan Age 25 years, Occu: Agril.

R/o As above

4. Parigabai w/o Chandrabhan Mohite, Age 35 years, Occu: Household R/o Ayodhyanagar, Aurangabad

5. Sunil s/o Parshuram Avhale, AGe 28 years, Occu: Service R/o As above Mr. S. P. Sonpawale, Addl. PP for the Appellant-State Mr. Niesh S. Ghanekar, Advocate for the Respondents-accused CORAM : SANDIPKUMAR C. MORE &

Y. G. KHOBRAGADE, JJ.

RESERVED ON : 02.12.2025 PRONOUNCED ON : 21.01.2026 JUDGMENT (Per: Y. G. Khobragade, J.)

1. By the present appeal under Section 378(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code, the prosecution takes exception to the judgment and order dated 10.01.2003 passed by the learned Adhoc Additional Sessions Judge, Aurangabad, in Sessions Case No. 224 of 2000, whereby, the respondents/accus