(1.) We have heard Mr. P. Prabhaker Reddy, learned counsel for Accused No.1 in Criminal Appeal No.182 of 2014; Mr. T. Pradyumna Kumar Reddy, learned Senior Counsel representing Accused Nos.2 and 3 in Criminal Appeals Nos.182 of 2014 and 212 of 2014 respectively; Smt. B. Prathibha, learned counsel for Accused No.4 in Criminal Appeal No.41 of 2023; and Mr. Syed Yasin Mamoon, learned Additional Public Prosecutor, appearing for the State in Criminal Appeal No.1160 of 2017.
(2.) Since all these appeals arise from the same judgment, we propose to adjudicate them through this common judgment.
(3.) Criminal Appeal No.182 of 2014 has been preferred by Accused Nos.1 and 2 (hereinafter referred to as 'Accused Nos.1 and 2'); Criminal Appeal No.212 of 2014 has been filed by Accused No.3 (hereinafter 'Accused No.3'); and Criminal Appeal No.41 of 2023 has been filed by Accused No.4 (hereinafter 'Accused No.4'). All these appeals challenge the judgment of conviction and sentence dtd. 13/1/2014, delivered in Sessions Case No.486 of 2010 by the Metropolitan Sessions Judge, Hyderabad.