Judgment

DUA, J.:- In this appeal from the judgment and order of the Andhra Pradesh High Court convicting the appellant for the murder of one Gadusula Seetha under Section 302, I. P. C. and sentencing him to death, special leave granted by this Court was limited only to the question of sentence. The preparation of the record was dispensed with and the appeal was directed to be heard on the S. L. P. paper book. In the order granting special leave dated March 1, 1973 it was specifically directed as under :

"Let an actual date of hearing of the appeal be fixed which will not be longer than one month from today, and notice of the actual date of hearing of the appeal shall be sent to the respondent forthwith."

Earlier, on July 5, 1972 the special leave petition has been placed before the vacation Judge (K. K. Mathew J.) and notice was directed to go to the respondent to show cause why special leave should not be granted in regard to the sentence only. It is unfortunate that the matter could not be placed before the Bench after service of show cause notice for nearly eight months. The appellant had been sentenced to death as far back as October 30, 1971 by the Additional Sessions Judge, Wes