Judgment

Thomas, J.-A young lady aged about 25, Kadari Lingamma, was burnt to death. The crime has been attributed to her paramour Vajrala Paripur­nachary (appellant herein) who was indicted for her murder. He was acquitted by the Sessions Court but was convicted by the High Court on an appeal under Section 302 IPC and sentenced to imprisonment for life. So he has filed this appeal as of right.

2. Kadari Lingamma was given in marriage first to one Chella Venkanna, but that marriage was short-lived. Later she was married to one Bari Venkanna which also ended in failure. Thereafter she stayed with her parents and during that time she developed intimacy with the appellant who was a married man having children. Appellant used to make noctur­nal visits to her house and was maintaining illicit relationship with the deceased.

3. According to the prosecution, on the night of 28.2.1991 appellant went to the house where deceased was staying. Her father was not in the house then as he had gone out to watch his cattle. The presence of a teenaged brother of the deceased (P.W. 2 Ramamurthy) did not deter the appellant and the deceased to resort to libidinous cooing and they indulged in drinking and