JUDGMENT

KULDIP SINGH, J.:— Lakshmanaiah was tried for the murder of his wife Nagarathnamma and also for stealing his mother-in-laws property. He was convicted by the trial Court under S. 302, Indian Penal Code and was sentenced to imprisonment for life. He was, however, acquitted of the charge under S. 380, IPC. The appeal filed by Lakshmanaiah against his conviction under S. 302, IPC was allowed by the High Court and he was acquitted. No appeal against his acquittal under S. 380, I.P.C. was filed before the High Court. This appeal is by the State of Karnataka against the judgment of acquittal rendered by the High Court.

2. Lakshmanaiah along with his wife and two children aged two years and eight months was residing in Mandya City. Gowramma, his mother-in-law, along with her younger daughter Leelavathi, was also residing in the same city at a short distance from his house. The prosecution case is that Lakshmanaiah used to demand money from his mother-in-law through his wife. He had executed two promissory notes for Rs. 2,000/- and Rs. 3,000/- in favour of his mother-in-law towards the money he had borrowed from her. He became disgruntled when his motherin law refused to comply wi