PRITAM SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Pritam Singh, A-2 Jasbir Singh, A-3 Dalbir Singh, A-4 Ajit Singh and A-5 Mohinder Singh faced the trial before the Additional Sessions Judge, Nawanshahar. A-1 to A-3 were convicted but A-4 and A-5 were acquitted by the trial Court. A-1 Pritam Singh, who was convicted for the offences under Sections 333, 353 and 332 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, A-2 Jasbir Singh and A-3 Dalbir Singh, who were convicted for offences under Sections 332, 353 and 333 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code have preferred the present appeal.

(2.) It is reported that 1st accused Pritam Singh had passed away during the pendency of the appeal. The same is verified by the respondent-State and reported that the first accused Pritam Singh had died. Therefore, the appeal qua the 1st accused/1st appellant Pritam Singh abated.

(3.) a) It is a case of the prosecution that on 12.06.1996 at about 00.30 hours, PW-2 Manmohan Singh Walia, Engineer accompanied by PW-3 R.L. Agnihotri, PW-4 Malkiat Singh and PW-5 Ajit Singh were in the process of checking the illegal consumption of electricity at the fields in Cheta village. The residential farm house of the 1st accused Pritam Singh was thoroughly checked. The Inspection Party found that the motor fixed by the 1st accused Pritam Singh was run on a single phase. The domestic light was also connected directly from the tubewell motor. The condenser fixed was removed.