JUDGMENT

Rajendra Babu, J.-The appellant before us is charged with having committed murder of his wife Ramulamma on 23.12.1988 by pouring kerosene on her and setting her on fire at about 1.30 p.m. in his house punishable under Section 302 IPC. The appellant having pleaded not guilty was tried for the offence charged against him, convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment with a fine of Rs.1500/- in default to undergo imprisonment for two months.

2. The appellant is the husband of the deceased Ramulamma having married her about 16 years prior to the date of her death. He is a driver with the Andhra Pradesh Road Transport Corporation. While the appellant and the deceased used to live in Shanthinagar Colony in Miryalguda Parvatha Reddy [PW.1] and Lakshmi Reddy [PW.2] are their neighbours. Laxma Reddy [PW.3] is the younger brother of the deceased Ramulamma.

3. On 23.12.1988 at about 1.30 p.m., the deceased Ramulamma came out of the house with her clothes aflame. PW.1 and PW.2 doused the fire with the help of others and took her to the hospital. PW.7, who is the Police Officer, recorded her statement as per Exhibit P.5 and Ramulamma died at 2 a.m. on 24.12.1988. Prior to her death, the