NEETHIRAJ AND OTHERS Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS judgment shall govern these two appeals in C.A.Nos.124 and 167 of 2006, the former by A -1 to A -3 and A -5 to A -7 and the latter by A -4.

(2.) THESE two appeals challenge the judgment of the Additional District Judge, Fast Track Court No.II, Tuticorin, made in S.C.No.148 of 2005, whereby these appellants ranked as A -1 to A -7 respectively, along with A -8 and A -9 stood charged as follows:

(3.) ON trial, A -1, A -2 and A -3 were found guilty under Section 148, IPC and sentenced to undergo R.I. for one year and pay a fine of Rs.2,000/ - with default sentence. A -1 was convicted under Section 302 of IPC and sentenced to life imprisonment along with a fine of Rs.5,000/ - and default sentence. A -2 to A -7 were found guilty under Section 302 read with 149, IPC, and they were awarded life imprisonment along with a fine of Rs.5,000/ - and default sentence. A -2 was convicted under Section 324 (two counts), IPC and sentenced to suffer R.I. for one year. A -4 was found guilty under Section 342, IPC for which he was directed to undergo six months' R.I. and to pay a fine of Rs.500/ - with default sentence. A -5 and A -6 were convicted under Section 323 of IPC and sentenced to undergo six months' R.I. and to pay a fine of Rs.500/ - with default sentence. A -8 and A -9 were acquitted of all the charges levelled against them. Challenging the said conviction and sentence, these appeals have arisen.