(1.) Crl. A No. 1221 of 2000 is filed by A1., whereas Crl. A No. 1218 of 2000 is filed by A5 and A6. Originally A1. to A6 were tried by the Sessions Judge, Warrangal in Sessions Case No.739 of 1996 and they were convicted. Since both the appeals arise out of the one and the same judgment, they are being disposed of by this common judgment.
(2.) The accused appellants were facing two charges. The first charge against A1. to A4 was under Section 302 read with Section 34 IPC. The learned Sessions Judge found A1. guilty of the said charge and convicted him to suffer imprisonment for life and A1.so directed to pay a fine of Rs.25,000/- and in default to suffer simple imprisonment for one year and A2 to A4 were acquitted of the said charge. The second charge against A5 and A6 was under Section 302 read with Section 109 IPC and the learned Judge found them guilty of the said charges and sentenced them to suffer imprisonment for life and A1.so directed them to pay a fine of Rs.10,000/- and in default, directed to suffer simple imprisonment for six months.
(3.) The substance of the charge against the accused was that on 7-2-1996 while the deceased was returning from Gunturupalli, A1. to A4 armed with knives, stabbed the deceased indiscriminately and caused his death.