(1.) Since all these appeals are the offshoots of impugned judgment dtd. 25/2/2020 and order of sentence dtd. 4/3/2020, rendered by learned Special Judge Kangra at Dharamshala, District Kangra, H.P. (hereinafter referred to as 'the learned Trial Court'), in Sessions Case No. 12-G/VII/2015, they are being taken up together for disposal.
(2.) The instant appeals have been preferred by the appellants/accused persons/convicts under Sec. 374 of the Code of Criminal Procedure against the impugned judgment of conviction, dtd. 25/2/2020, and order of sentence dated 4. 03.2020, passed by the learned Trial Court, in Sessions Case No. 12-G/VII/2015, whereby accused persons viz., Rajneesh, Rajesh and Ramesh were convicted and sentenced as under: Convict Rajneesh <FRM>JUDGEMENT_35_LAWS(HPH)9_2024_1.html</FRM> Convict Rajesh <FRM>JUDGEMENT_35_LAWS(HPH)9_2024_2.html</FRM> Convict Ramesh, who remained in police/judicial remand w.e.f. 17/12/2014 to 31/12/2014 was convicted under Sec. 202 IPC and sentenced to undergo imprisonment already undergone by him. All the appellants prayed that their appeals be allowed and the impugned judgment be quashed and set-aside and they be acquitted.
(3.) The facts giving rise to the present appeals, as per the prosecution story, can be summarized as under: