THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE K.SURENDER AND THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE E.V.VENUGOPAL CRIMINAL APPEAL Nos.2899 and 2470 of 2018 COMMON JUDGMENT: (Per Hon’ble Sri Justice K.Surender)

Criminal Appeal No.2470 of 2018 is filed by accused No.1, questioning his conviction under Sections 302 and 342 of IPC. Criminal Appeal No.2899 of 2018 is filed by the de facto complainant questioning the acquittal of accused Nos.2 to 9.

2. Heard learned counsel for the appellants, and Sri Arun Kumar Dodla, learned Additional Public Prosecutor for respondent-State. Perused the record.

3. Accused Nos.1 to 9 were charge sheeted by the Bellampally Police. The case of the prosecution is that the deceased, namely Ravi, who is the husband of PW.1, was assaulted in front of the Gram Panchayat Office. He was dragged out of the Gram Panchayat Office and beaten with an iron rod and stone in front of the Gram Panchayat Office. PWs.2, 4, and 5, who are the eye-witnesses to the incident, were confined in the Panchayat Office by the accused after the deceased was dragged out. According to PWs.2, 4, and 5, they had witnessed the incident while they were confined in the Gram Panchayat Office. According to the investigation,