SARAN PANJAR BHOI Vs. STATE OF ORISSA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The present Criminal Appeal, filed by the appellants under Sec. 374(2) of Cr.P.C. is directed against the judgment and order dtd. 26/9/1995 passed by the learned Sessions Judge, Sambalpur in S.T. Case No. No.269 of 1994, whereby the learned trial Court convicted them for the offences under Ss. 147/148/324 read with Sec. 149 of I.P.C. and on that count, they have been sentenced to undergo R.I. for one year and to pay a fine of Rs.1,000.00 each, in default to undergo R.I. for six months for the offence under Sec. 148/149 of I.P.C. and to undergo R.I. for two years and to pay a fine of Rs.1,000.00, in default to undergo R.I. for six months for the offences under Ss. 324/149 of I.P.C. The sentences were directed to run concurrently. However, no separate sentence was imposed for the offence under Sec. 147 of I.P.C.

(2.) The present appeal has been pending since 1995. When the matter was called for hearing, none appeared for the appellants. Therefore, this Court requested Mr. Sibesh Pattnaik, learned counsel, who was present in Court to assist the Court as Amicus Curiae. He has readily accepted the same and after obtaining entire record, assisted the Court very effectively. This Court records appreciation for the meaningful assistance rendered by Mr. Sibesh Pattnaik, learned counsel.

(3.) Heard Mr. Sibesh Pattnaik, learned Amicus Curiae for the appellants and Mr. Sobhan Panigrahi, learned Additional Standing Counsel for the State.