IN RE: PADMARAJA SHETTY AND ORS. Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) ACCUSED 1 to 9 are the appellants. Accused 1 to 3 were convicted by the Sessions Judge of South Kanara under Section 302, Indian Penal Code and under Section 302 read with Section 34 of the Code. The first accused was sentenced to death, and the other two accused to transportation for life. Accused 1, 2, 4 and 5 were convicted under Section 201 of the Code and' sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for a term of three years each. Accused 3 and 6 to 9 were convicted of the same offence but sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for a term of two years each.

(2.) THE second accused is a brother of Ramanna Semitha. The third accused is the brother -in -law of the first accused. Accused 4 to 9 are connected with the first accused either as tenants of his or of some others under his control and influence.

(3.) WE shall first consider the evidence against the first accused. P.W. 8 is the approver.