Judgment

K. JAYACHANDRA REDDY, J.:- The sole accused in the case is the appellant herein. He was tried for offences punishable under Ss. 302, 307, 380 and 460, IPC by the learned Sessions Judge, Jalore. He was sentenced to death under S. 302, IPC. He was also sentenced under S. 307, IPC to undergo 10 years R.I. and to pay a fine of Rs. 2,000/-in default of payment of which to undergo 3 years R.I. under S. 380, IPC to 5 years R.I. and to pay a fine of Rs. 1,000/- in default of payment of which to undergo 2 years R. I. and under S. 460, IPC to 10 years R.I. and to pay a fine of Rs. 2,000/- in default of payment of which to undergo 3 years R.I. The sentences other than death were ordered to run concurrently. The learned Sessions Judge made a reference for confirmation of death sentence and the accused also preferred an appeal against the convictions and s6ntences and they were disposed of by a common judgment by the High Court. The death sentence was reduced to imprisonment for life by the High Court and other convictions and sentences were confirmed. Hence the present appeal.

2. The prosecution case is that on the intervening night of 13th and 14th July, 1980 the deceased Manshaji and