RAJA Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The Criminal Appeal arises out of the judgment of conviction and sentence, dated 17.2.2003 in S.C.No.72 of 2002 on the file of the Additional Sessions Court, Fast Track Court, at Ariyalur, whereby the appellants/A.2 and A.3 were convicted for the offence under Section 347 IPC and sentenced to undergo two years' rigorous imprisonment and to pay a fine of Rs.3,000/- each, in default, to undergo five months' simple imprisonment, they were also convicted for the offence under Section 452 IPC and sentenced to undergo three years' rigorous imprisonment and to pay a fine of Rs.1,000/- each, in default, to undergo two months' simple imprisonment and they were also convicted for the offence under Section 463 IPC and sentenced to undergo two years' rigorous imprisonment and to pay a fine of Rs.2,000/- each, in default, to undergo four months' simple imprisonment. The sentences imposed on the appellants were directed to run concurrently.

(2.) During the pendency of the trial, A-1 died and so, the charges stood abated as far as A-1 was concerned. During the pendency of the Criminal Appeal, the second appellant/A.3 died and so, the Criminal Appeal abates as far as the second appellant/A.3 is concerned.

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