JUDGMENT

GOSWAMI, J.:—On April 19, 1973, the respondent Om Prakash (hereinafter to be described as the accused) inflicted as many as five stab wounds on the appellants Suraj Bhan. The injuries were very severe as will be found from the description given below:-

"1. Incised wound 5 cm x 2 cm x oblique spindle shape on the left side of the front of abdomen, 8 cm below the xiphisternum and 6 cm to the left of the mid line. Depth not probed, edges were fresh.

2. Incised wound 2 1/2 cm x 1 cm oblique, 6 cm on the left and 2 cm above injury No.1, spindle shaped. Edges were fresh and depth was not probed.

3. Incised wound 2 1/2 cm x 1 cm horizontal, spindle shaped 6 cm above the left anterior superior iliac spine. Depth was not probed and edges were fresh.

4. Incised wound 1 cm x 1/4 cm x 2 mm deep, horizontal 5 cm inner to end at the level of left anterior superior iliac spine, edges were fresh.

5. Penetrating wound 5 cm x 2 1/3 cm x cavity deep, horizontal on the front of abdomen 2 cm to the right of midline 10 cm below the level of xiphisternum, edges were clean cut and fresh, the coils of small intestine protruding through the wound."

The appellant had also to undergo an operation. There is