JUDGMENT

P. N. SHINGHAL, J.:— This appeal by special leave is directed against the judgment of the Madras High Court dated Feb. 19, 1976, convicting appellant Ramanathan of offences under Section 302 (on two counts), S. 307 and S. 460 of the I.P.C. and S. 27 of the Arms act. The High Court has confirmed the sentence of death for the offences under S. 302, and has upheld the sentence of imprisonment for life for the offence under s. 307, of rigorous imprisonment for 10 years for the offence under S. 460 and of rigorous imprisonment for 3 years for the offence under S. 27 of the Arms Act.

2. Natarajan (deceased) who was a well to do yarn merchant of Nagercoil used to live there in his own house in Kumari Colony. His wife Smt. Nagammal (P.W. 1) used to live with him in that house. Their second son Vadadarajan (deceased) was 21 years old and was studying in fourth year in the Medical College at Palayam Kottai. As Sept. 19, 1974 was Vinayakchaturthi day, he took leave of absence for a day and came to his fathers house in Nagaricoil on Sept. 18, 1974. On the following day (Sept. 19, 1974) Natarajan returned home from his shop, in his car, at about 9 p.m. His driver parked the car in the c