KESHAV Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The appellants in these appeals stand convicted for an offence punishable under Section 376(2)(g) of the Indian Penal Code and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for ten years and to each pay fine of Rs.5,000/-, in default of which, to undergo further rigorous imprisonment for six months. It appears that this Court had directed the expeditious hearing of these appeals in the light of the fact that appellant Keshao s/o Sadashiv Zalwade in Criminal Appeal No. 126/2009, appellants Ratiram s/o Punaram Choudhary, Maroti s/o Laxman Dadmal and Arun s/o Tulsiram Choudhari in Criminal Appeal No. 259/2009 and appellant Gurudas Domaji Gajbhiye in Criminal Appeal No. 275/2009 are in Jail.

(2.) Since these appeals arise from the same judgment of the trial Court, i.e. the judgment of the Sessions Judge, Chandrapur, dated 21/1/2009 in Sessions Case No. 128/2005, they are being decided by this common judgment.

(3.) Such of the facts as are necessary for the decision of these appeals may briefly be stated thus :