JUDGMENT

P. Sathasivam, J. —

1)This appeal is filed against the final judgment and order dated 13.03.2008 passed by the High Court of Karnataka at Bangalore in Criminal Appeal No. 1498 of 2007 whereby the High Court dismissed the appeal filed by the appellants- accused affirming the conviction and sentence passed by the Additional District and Sessions Judge, Dakshina Kannada, Mangalore dated 1/3.9.2007 in S.C. No. 13 of 2005.

2)Background facts in a nutshell are as under:

On 02.06.2004, two sisters (both victims of rape), who were working in the quarry of one Subhash Jain- PW-4, after completing their work, were waiting for the bus near Sampige of Puttige Village by the side of the road to go to their residence in Badaga Mijaru Village, Ashwathapura, Santhakatte. At about 6.00 p.m., the appellants came there in an autorickshaw which was driven by Santhosh Moolya (A-1) and stopped the auto in front of the victims asking them to get into the auto as they were also going towards Ashwathapura side. Surendra Gowda (A-2) was already sitting in the auto. Both the sisters sat by his side. It was raining at that time. After some time, leaving the main road, the appellant moved the auto toward