(1.) This group of 11 Appeals is taken up together for decision since the challenge therein is to one and the same judgment and order dtd. 10/4/2017, passed by Additional Sessions Judge, Beed (Trial Court) in Sessions Case, No.94/2013. 16 accused persons were put on trial in the said Sessions Case. Vide impugned judgment and order, 5 of them (original accused Nos.5 to 8 and 10) were convicted while the rest of the accused have been acquitted. Relevant part of the operative order under challenge in these appeals is reproduced below :-
(2.) Criminal Appeals No.224/2017, 767/2018, 768/2018, 769/2018 and 770/2018 have been preferred by the convicts. The State was granted leave to appeal against acquittal. It is the Criminal Appeal No.994/2024. The original complainant Bhausaheb Limbaji Surwase, brother of the deceased preferred appeal against acquittal (Criminal Appeal No.1040/2024).
(3.) For the sake of convenience, the appellants/ convicts are referred to as per their serial numbers in the Charge (Exh.52).