Judgement

MATHEW, J. : - When the special leave to appeal was granted, this Court limited it to the question of the nature of the offence committed by the appellant (accused) in causing the death of one Maya Devi by pouring acid on her body.

2. The prosecution case was as follows. Maya Devi aged 19 years at the time of her death was the daughter of Raj Kumari (P. W. 1). Both the mother and daughter had taken to the profession of dancing and singing and used to live in an apartment on G. B. Road, Delhi. The accused had illicit connection with Maya Devi and he often used to go to the resident of the deceased. The accused wanted to marry Maya Devi but she declined as he was already married to another woman. A few days before the occurrence, the appellant took Maya Devi with him to his house and she stayed there for about 12 days. Thereafter Maya Devi was brought back by the accused to her mother s apartment. On that occasion also the accused asked Maya Devi to marry him but she refused. The accused then threatened Maya Devi that if she would not marry him, she should either leave Delhi or he would kill her in such a manner that she would have lingering death. On August 14, 1967, at abou