(1.) This criminal appeal filed under Sec. 374(2) of Criminal Procedure Code mounts challenge to the judgment dtd. 24/7/2012 passed in Sessions Case No. 235/2009 decided by learned Additional Sessions Judge, Anuppur whereby four accused persons were held guilty for committing offence under Sec. 148 of I.P.C. and Sec. 302 of IPC read with Ss. 149 of IPC (two counts) and directed to undergo sentence as under :- <FRM>JUDGEMENT_137_LAWS(MPH)3_2023_1.html</FRM>
(2.) At the outset, it is relevant to mention here that during the pendency of this appeal vide order dtd. 12/5/2015 and order dtd. 13/3/2023, the name of appellant No. 1- Madhav Paw and appellant No. 2- Mandal Paw were directed to be deleted. Thus, this appeal survives only for appellant Nos. 3 and 4.
(3.) Admittedly, the appellant No. 3-Amrika Paw is in actual custody for more than 14 years and 2 months whereas his wife appellant No. 4-Munni Bai got benefit of suspension of sentence on 14/12/2012.