(1.) These are appeals preferred against the convictions and sentences of the learned Sessions Judge of Guntur Division in S.C. No. 30 of 1951.
(2.) The facts are : in the village of Adigoppula there are two factions headed by the accused 1 Thota Ramakotayya and G. Venkatappayya respectively. There is no dispute that accused 2 to 22 in this case are the partisans of accused 1 and that the Adlgoppula witnesses examined in this case as P. Ws. 1 to 6, 7, 12 and 15 to 18 are the partisans of Venkatappayya. This faction had arisen from the District Board Election held about two years prior to the commission of the offences, forming the subject-matter of this Sessions Case on 18-4-1950. In this District Board Election accused 1 and G. Venkatappayya stood as rival candidates and accused 1 was the successful and Venkatappayya was the defeated candidate.
(3.) On account of this faction hay-ricks were being burnt on either side and ill- feelings were smouldering. The village Munsif's hay-rick was burnt before and three days prior to occurrence the hay-rick of accused 1 and 2 was burnt. In the dry areas of Guntur District like Adigoppulu the burning of a hay-rick means hamstringing of the ryots because cattle cannot survive without fodder and without cattle agricultural operations will be brought to a standstill.