In The High Court for the States of Punjab and Haryana At Chandigarh Date of Decision:- 21.02.2025 Shanku & another … Appellants Versus State of Punjab ... Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE GURVINDER SINGH GILL HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JASJIT SINGH BEDI Present: Mr. Sukhcharan Singh Gill, Advocate, (Amicus Curiae)

for the appellants Mr. Harkanwar Jeet Singh, AAG, Punjab.

GURVINDER SINGH GILL, J.

1. Appellants - Shanku and Balbir Singh have preferred this appeal assailing judgment dated 24.03.2005 passed by learned Sessions Judge, Ferozepur vide which they were held guilty for offence punishable under Section 302/34 IPC and have been sentenced to undergo imprisonment for life apart from payment of fine amounting to Rs.5000/- each. However, since appellant No.2 - Balbir Singh has expired during the pendency of this appeal, the proceedings qua him stand abated vide order dated 17.02.2025. As such, the instant appeal survives only qua appellant No.1 - Shanku.

2. The matter arises out of FIR No.21 dated 08.02.2001 registered at Police Station Sadar Fazilka, under Sections 302/34 IPC (Ex.P10/B) on the basis of statement (Ex.P10) of Bhajan Singh, wherein he stated that he is a labourer by prof