Judgment

KHANNA, J.:- Sita Ram (40) was tried in the court of learned Additional Sessions Judge Sagar for an offence under Section 302, Indian Penal Code for causing the death of his wife Savitribai (21) and was acquitted. On appeal filed by the State the Madhya Pradesh High Court reversed the Judgment of the trial court, convicted the accused under Section 302, Indian Penal Code and sentenced him to undergo imprisonment for life. Sita Ram has now come up in appeal to this Court by special leave.

2. The prosecution case is that Savitri deceased during the days of the present occurrence was staying at the quarter of her brother-in-law Gourishankar in Police Lines Sagar. Gourishankar is a police driver. The sister of Savitri, who had been married to Gourishankar, died a few years back. Gourishankar then married another girl. The second wife of Gourishankar was away to her parents house when the present occurrence took place. Shantibai, aged 12 or 13 years, daughter of Gourishankar from his previous wife, was also living with Gourishankar. The accused, who was unemployed, came to the quarter of Gourishankar about 15 days before the present occurrence with a view to seek some job.

3. On