D. P. Sood, J.—Sometimes selfishness and greed over-ride the religious faith and spiritual morale of a human being. Even greed has not spared The Almighty—Lord Vishnoo, who is the Creator of the universe.

2. Chamba is situated by the side of Ravi river amidst the sub-mountainous region of Himalayas. There is a ‘chaugan in Chamba town. On one corner of chaugan, there is a temple known as "Hari Rai temple" where an idol of Lord Vishaooof immense value is installed. Hindus residing in this town offer puja and worship Lord Vishnoo. This idol made of bronze was 4-5 feet in height and 1-1/2 feet in width having four hands. A brass plate indicating the identity of the idol was also affixed thereupon.

3. In between the intervening night of 6th and 7th of May, 1971, this idol was found stolen and ultimately it was recovered from a godown of a Clearing Agent at Bombay on June 23, 1971 by the police of Chamba in collaboration with the local police of Metropolitan City of Bombay. The said idol was brought back to Chamba on July 5, 1971 and installed in the aforesaid temple on July 7, 1971.

4. Shortly stated, the case of the prosecution is that three persons, namely, S/Sh. Bali Ram, Raj K