JUDGMENT

Nine accused persons, Punati Ramulu, Nalamala Ramakotayya, Lam Koteswararao, Kancheti Yellamandayya, Nellori Venkateswarlu, Poonati Ramedass, Popuri Govindu, Popuri Ramulu and Cherukuri Danumayya, were tried for offences under Sections 148, and 302 read with 149, IPC by the learned Sessions Judge for the occurrence which took place on 28-3-1991 at about 7.00 or 8.00 a.m. at village Pamidipadu in which one Krishna Rao had been murdered. After recording the evidence of various witnesses including PW I to PW4, the learned Sessions Judge convicted Punati Ramulu (A-1), Nalamala Ramakotayya (A-2), Lam Koteswararao (A-3) and Poonati Ramedass (A-6), Popuri Govindu (A-7) and Popuri Ramulu (A-8) for an offence under Section 148, I.P.C. and sentenced them to suffer rigorous imprisonment for two years. They were also convicted for the offence under Section 302, I.P.C. and sentenced to suffer imprisonment for life. A-4, A-5 and A-9, whose names were not disclosed at the trial as to be present at the time of occurrence by PW 1 to PW 4, were given the benefit of the doubt and acquitted. The convicts A- 1 to A-3 and A-6 to A-8 filed an appeal in the High Court against their conviction and