MALLIKARJUNA S/O. THIMMAPPA Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Criminal Appeal No.8 of 2019 is filed by the appellant/accused No.1, whereas Criminal Appeal No.917 of 2018 is filed by the appellants/accused Nos.2 and 3 challenging the judgment of conviction dtd. 6/2/2018 and order on sentence dtd. 8/2/2018 in Sessions Case No.30 of 2013 passed against them by the Principal District and Sessions Judge, Chitradurga, (for short, 'trial Court') for the offences punishable under Ss. 302, 397 and 201 read with Sec. 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (for short, 'IPC').

(2.) The appellants were accused Nos.1 to 3 and the respondent-State was the complainant before the trial Court. For the purpose of convenience, the parties are referred to henceforth as per their ranks before the trial Court.

(3.) The case of the prosecution is as follows: