MARUTHI Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Leave granted.

(2.) Appellant Nos. 1 to 5 were tried for the commission of offences punishable under Sections 147, 148, 341, 504, 506, 324, 326 read with Section 149 of the Indian Penal Code (I.P.C.). The Trial Court did not find the Appellants guilty of the aforesaid offences and hence they were acquitted.

(3.) The High Court, however, by the impugned judgment reversed the order of acquittal and convicted all the Appellants for commission of offence punishable under Section 326 of the I.P.C. and sentenced them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of three months and to pay a fine of Rs. 5,000/- each and simple imprisonment for two months for default in payment of fine. The Appellants were also convicted for commission of offence punishable under Section 324 of the I.P.C. and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of three months and to pay a fine of Rs. 5,000/- each and simple imprisonment for two months for default in payment of fine. The sentences, however, were to run concurrently. The Appellants have been given benefit of set off under Section 428 of Code of Criminal Procedure by the High Court. PW-4 Balaji, who sustained injuries on his head and back, was directed to be paid compensation of Rs. 25,000/-.