SANTHOSH Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These appeals are filed under Sec. 374(2) of the Code of Criminal of Procedure, 1973. The Sessions Court, Palakkad tried accused Nos.1 to 9 in S.C.No.382 of 2014. Pending trial, accused Nos.4 turned an approver. On the conclusion of the trial, accused Nos.1 to 3 were convicted and sentenced for the offence punishable under Ss. 120B, 201, 302 and 397 read with Sec. 34 of Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC). Accused Nos.5 and 8 were convicted and sentenced under Ss. 118 and 120B read with Sec. 34 of the IPC. Accused Nos.6 and 7 were convicted and sentenced for the offence under Sec. 118 of the IPC. The 9th accused was acquitted. The 1st accused did not prefer any appeal.

(2.) On 27/5/2020 accused Nos. 1 to 8 were found guilty and convicted. Accused Nos. 1, 2, 4, 7 and 8 were sentenced on the same day. Since accused Nos. 3, 5 and 6 absconded, their sentencing was postponed and the case against them was refiled as Sessions Case No.351 of 2020. On procuring their presence, accused Nos.6, 3 and 5 were sentenced, respectively, on 6/8/2020, 11/8/2020 and 24/8/2020.

(3.) Following are the details of the appeals filed by each of the accused: <FRM>JUDGEMENT_159_LAWS(KER)10_2023_1.html</FRM>