1 The State of Maharashtra has preferred this appeal challenging the judgment and order dated 5.4.1993 passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Raigad-Alibag in Sessions Case No. 49 of 1989. By the said judgment and order, the learned Sessions Judge acquitted Respondent Nos. 1 to 49 of the offences under Sections 147, 148, 302 r.w. 149, 302, 307 r.w. 149, 326 r.w. 149, 337 r.w. 139, 504 r.w. 149, 506 r.w. 149 of IPC and under Sections 25(1)(a) and 27 of the Indian Arms Act. However, when the appeal came up for admission, by order dated 25.10.1993 this Court admitted the appeal qua original accused nos. 1, 2, 12, 16, 17, 21, 24, 25, 29, 35, 42 and 48. It may be stated that after admission of the appeal, respondents-original accused nos. 1, 2 and 16 expired. As far as respondent nos. 1 and 2 are concerned, the appeal stood abated in relation to them as per order dated 26.2.2015 and as far as respondent no.16 is concerned, the appeal stood abated against him as per order passed by this Court on 19.3.2015. Thus, this appeal is being considered only in relation to respondents-original accused nos. 12, 17, 21, 24, 25, 29, 35, 42 and 48. For the sake of convenience, we shall refer hereinafter to the respondents as they were referred to before
