IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI Criminal Appeal (D.B.) No. 524 of 1997(P)

[Against the Judgment of conviction dated 11.09.1997 and Order of sentence dated 19.09.1997 passed by learned 5^th Additional Sessions Judge, Dumka, in Sessions Case No.154 of 1990 / 42 of

1990]

1. Kapoor Manjhi, son of late Inder Manjhi. 2. Mahender Manjhi, son of Kapoor Manjhi.

3. Birender Manjhi, s/o Kapoor Manjhi.

4. Subek Manjhi, s/o Kapoor Manjhi.

5. Prabhu Mandal, son of late Kishun Mandal.

6. Pheku Mandal, s/o Tarni Mandal. 7. Tapan Mandal, s/o Ramu Mandal.

8. Murlidhar Mandal, s/o Ramu Mandal.

9. Mangru Mandal, son of late Antu Mandal.

10. Pradip @ Ranjeet Mandal, s/o Thakur Mandal.

11. Kritiyanand Mandal, son of Ramu Mandal.

All resident of village Sahara, P.O. Taljhari, Dist. Dumka.

… … Appellant Versus The State of Bihar (now Jharkhand) … … Respondent P R E S E N T HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SUJIT NARAYAN PRASAD HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE ARUN KUMAR RAI …..

For the Appellants : Mrs. Vani Kumari, Amicus Curiae For the Respondent : Mrs. Nehala Sharmin, Spl. P.P.

…..

C.A.V. on 20.12.2025 Pronounced on 22/01/2026 Per Sujit Narayan Prasad, J.

1. At the outset it needs to be mentioned that out of 17 appellants herein, appella