LAXUMAN Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioners were accused 1 and 2 in C. C. No. 431/3/1973 on the file of the Judicial Magistrate, first Class, Bhalki. They were charge sheeted for having committed offences punishable under sections 392, 323 and 355 read with section 34 of the Indian Penal Code and also under section 4 of the Untouchability (Offences) Act, 1955 (hereinafter referred to as the Act.)

(2.) The Magistrate convicted the petitioners (hereinafter referred to as the Accused 1 and 2) for having committed the offences punishable under section 323 read with section 31 of the IPC., Section 355 read with Section 34 of the IPC. and Section 4 of the Act; and sentenced each one of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for one year, two years and six months respectively He directed that the sentences should run concurrently.

(3.) The accused filed Crl. Appeal No. 5 of 1976 before the Sessions Judge, Bidar. The Sessions Judge confirmed the convictions but reduced the sentence to rigorous imprisonment for six months for the offence punishable under section 323 read with Section 34 of the IPC, for one year for the offence punishable under section 355 read with Section 34 of the IPC. and maintained the sentence for the offence under Section 4 of the Act.