(1.) This is an appeal filed by the State against the acquittal of the four accused-respondents for an offence under Section 302, read with Section 34, Indian Penal Code.
(2.) (For the sake of convenience we shall refer to the respondents as the accused hereinafter).
(3.) There is a village called Panaiyur where Thevars are the residents predominantly and where Chettiars also reside. There have been civil actions and criminal proceedings between the parties. There is evidence that Andar Chettiar (deceased) was taking a leading part in the litigation between the parties. Aggrieved at the conduct of Andar Chettiar, the case of the prosecution is, accused 1 to 4 who are Thevars made a sudden appearance near the well inside the nanja land of one Ramaswami Chettiar at about midnight (or past midnight) of 6/7th February, 1969 and caused his death.