Judgment

P.P. Naolekar, J.—Three accused persons viz., Seeman, Neelagiri and Leelavathi, were tried for committing murder of one Murugan, under Section 302 IPC. Accused - appellant No. 1 was convicted and sentenced to undergo life imprisonment by the Sessions Court. The other two accused persons were acquitted. The said conviction and sentence, having been confirmed by the High Court, the appellant challenged the same before this Court by filing this appeal. The prosecution case, in short is that the deceased Murugan was the resident of Village Chi­thakkur. Three years prior to the occurrence, deceased Murugan and a girl named Kani fell in love and eloped from the Village. They were brought back by the villagers. After some time, Kani was married to some other person and deceased Murugan also got married to some other girl of a nearby village. On account of this incident, the accused persons had grudge to grind against the deceased, having brought bad name to the family and were awaiting an opportunity to take revenue. The deceased was advised by the well-wishers to leave the Village and settle down at some other place. He settled at Village Kariappati. On the day of the incidence,