JUDGMENT : Deepak Maheshwari, J. Accused-appellants Keliya @ Kailash and Shambhu have preferred this appeal to challenge the judgment impugned dated 17.1.1995 passed by learned Additional Sessions Judge, Beawar, District Ajmer in Sessions Case No. 44/94, whereby the accused-appellants have been convicted and sentenced for the offences mentioned below :- Keliya @ Kailash : 1 Section 325 IPC For Three years rigorous imprisonment and fine of Rs. 500/- and in default of payment of fine further to undergo one month's imprisonment. 2 Section 323/34 IPC For One month rigorous imprisonment and fine of Rs. 100/- and in default of payment of fine further to undergo seven days' imprisonment. Shambhu : 1 Section 325/34 IPC For Three years rigorous imprisonment and fine of Rs. 500/- and in default of payment of fine further to undergo one month's imprisonment. 2 Section 323 IPC For One month rigorous imprisonment and fine of Rs. 100/- and in default of payment of fine further to undergo seven days' imprisonment. 2. Heard learned counsel for the accused-appellants as also learned Public Prosecutor. Perused the judgment impugned and material available on record. 3. Learned counsel for the appellants has argued that there is material anomaly in the prosecution evidence. The complainant-injured Bhagu, who has been examined as PW-13 does not completely corroborate the facts mentioned in the FIR Ex.-P/13. He has not stated that by which weapon of offence Kailash caused injury on his head. The specific place has also not been mentioned by him where the injury was caused on his head. Wife of the complainant PW-2 Smt. Ansi has also not stated about the weapon of offence and the exact place where the injury was caused on the head of her husband. Learned counsel has further averred that no grievous injury has been found on the body of injured Bhagu as per the MLR Ex.-P/11. Thus, the conviction recorded by the learned trial court for the offence under Section 325 IPC is not sustainable. He has further submitted that the learned trial court has not taken into consideration the provisions of Sections 360 & 361 Cr.P.C. while awarding the sentence to the accused-persons. As per the arrest memo Ex.-P/1 & Ex.-P/2, they were of the age of 18 & 19 years respectively. No specific reason has been assigned by the learned trial court for not extending the benefit of probation to the accused-persons. As per the arrest memo Ex.-P/1 & Ex.-P/2, they were of the age of 18 & 19 years respectively. No specific reason has been assigned by the learned trial court for not extending the benefit of probation to the accused-persons. His further argument is that the occurrence had taken place on 15.9.1993 i.e. almost 24 years ago. Both the parties are close family members being first cousins. The occurrence has taken place on account of mortgage of the agricultural field with the complainant, which the accused persons wanted to redeem. In view of these facts, learned counsel for the accused-appellants submits that the judgment impugned convicting the accused-appellants deserves to be quashed and set-aside. His alternative argument is that if the accused-persons are found guilty of the offence under Section 324 IPC, they are liable to be extended the benefit of probation under Sections 360 & 361 Cr.P.C. 4. Learned Public Prosecutor has vehemently opposed the prayer and has stated that the judgment impugned is perfectly in consonance with the evidence available on record, hence the appeal is liable to be rejected. 5. I have scanned the judgment impugned in light of the arguments advanced and the material available on record. 6. In FIR Ex.P/13 injured Bhagu has stated that Kailash caused injury by 'axe' on his head, but he has not stated in his statement that what was the weapon of offence by which the injury was caused by Kailash. His wife PW-2 Ansi has also not stated about the weapon of offence. But PW-2 Sharda, daughter of injured has stated that injury was caused by 'axe' on the occipital part of head of his father. MLR Ex.-P/11 of injured Bhagu also fortifies this fact wherein an incised wound of 2" x " x " has been found over the upper part of the occipital bone. This injury is reported in Ex.-P/11 to be simple in nature and has been caused by sharp weapon. In view of this, it is found that the accused should have been convicted for the offence punishable under Section 324 IPC in place of Section 325 IPC. Other injuries No. 2 to 5 as mentioned in MLR Ex.-P/11 were found simple in nature and had been caused by blunt weapon. In view of this, it is found that the accused should have been convicted for the offence punishable under Section 324 IPC in place of Section 325 IPC. Other injuries No. 2 to 5 as mentioned in MLR Ex.-P/11 were found simple in nature and had been caused by blunt weapon. Taking these facts into consideration, I am of the considered opinion that the accused-appellants are liable to be convicted for the offence punishable under Section 324 IPC in place of Section 325 IPC along with the offence punishable under Sections 323 and 323/34 IPC. Thus, the conviction recorded against accused-appellant Keliya @ Kailash is converted from Section 325 to Section 324 IPC and the conviction recorded against accused-appellant Shambhu is converted to the offence under Section 324 r/w Section 34 IPC. The conviction for the offence under Sections 323 and 323 r/w Section 34 IPC recorded against accused Keliya @ Kailash and Shambhu respectively deserves to be maintained and is accordingly maintained. 7. Adverting to the quantum of sentence, it is important to observe that the offence is said to have taken place on 15.11.1993 i.e. almost 24 years ago. The rival sides are close relatives being first cousins. At the time of alleged incident, the accused were of the young age of 18 & 19 years respectively as per the arrest memo Ex.-P/1 and Ex.-P/2. After a long gap of 24 years, it will not be desirable to send the accused-persons behind the Bar. As per the record available, both of the accused-persons have remained in custody for 13 days. The police custody was granted qua them from 17.11.1993 to 19.11.1993. Thereafter, they have remained in judicial custody from 19.11.1993 to 24.11.1993 and 31.8.1996 to 4.9.1996. The facts and circumstances pleaded by learned counsel for the appellants and mentioned above are sufficient to observe that the interest of justice will be served if the sentence awarded to the accused appellants is reduced to the period of custody already undergone by them. Accordingly, the sentence is reduced to the period of custody undergone by the accused-appellants. 8. In the result, the appeal is partly allowed. The conviction recorded against accused-appellant Keliya @ Kailash is converted from Section 325 to Section 324 IPC and the conviction recorded against accused-appellant Shambhu is converted to the offence under Section 324 r/w Section 34 IPC. Accordingly, the sentence is reduced to the period of custody undergone by the accused-appellants. 8. In the result, the appeal is partly allowed. The conviction recorded against accused-appellant Keliya @ Kailash is converted from Section 325 to Section 324 IPC and the conviction recorded against accused-appellant Shambhu is converted to the offence under Section 324 r/w Section 34 IPC. The conviction for the offence under Sections 323 and 323 r/w Section 34 IPC recorded against accused Keliya @ Kailash and Shambhu respectively is maintained. The sentence awarded to the accused appellants is reduced to the period of custody already undergone by them.