JEBAMALAI AND ORS Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The appellants, 21 in number, have challenged the judgment of the Additional Sessions Division, Fast Track Court No. I, Tuticorin, made in S.C. No. 8/2003 whereby they stood charged and tried for the offences as follows:

(2.) On trial, A-1 to A-4, A-7 and A-8 were found guilty under Sections 148, 302 and 302 read with 149 of I.P.C. A-5 was found guilty under Sections 148, 302, 302 read with 149, 324 and 323 of I.P.C. A-6 was convicted under Sections 147, 302 and 302 read with 149 of I.P.C. A-9, A-11, A-13 and A-15 were found guilty under Sections 148 and 324 of I.P.C. A-10 was convicted under Sections 147 and 324 of I.P.C. A-12, A-5 and A-14 were convicted under Sections 147 and 323 of I.P.C. A-13 was found guilty under Section 148 of I.P.C. A-16 to A-21 were found guilty under Section 147 of I.P.C. The punishment awarded to them, are as follows: ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Accused I.P.C. Punishment (1) (2) (3) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- A-1 to A-5, A-7, A-8, 148 3 years R.I. along with a A-9, A-11, A-13 and fine of Rs. 500/- and A-15 default sentence A-6, A-10, A-12, A-14, 147 2 years R.I. along with a and A-16 to A-21 fine of Rs. 500/- and default sentence ----------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) (2) (3) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- A-1 to A-8 302 Life sentence with a fine of Rs. 1000/- and default sentence A-1 to A-8 302 r/w Life sentence with a fine 149 of Rs. 500/- and default sentence A-5, A-9 to A-11, A-13 324 2 years R.I. with a fine of and A-15 Rs. 200/- with default sentence A-12, A-14 and A-5 323 6 months R.I. with a fine of Rs. 200/- with default sentence -----------------------------------------------------------------------

(3.) The short facts necessary for the disposal of this appeal can be stated thus: