JUDGMENT

S.B. SINHA, J.- The appellant herein with one Dilbagh Singh and Baljit Singh was tried and convicted for commission of offence of housebreaking by night, to commit murder of Kans Kaur; for attempts on the lives of Joginder Singh and Avtar Singh and also for the illegal use of their firearms. They were found guilty and were sentenced to undergo imprisonment for life for the murder of Kans Kaur and lesser sentences for the other offences. All the sentences were directed to run concurrently.

2. Baljit Singh was married to Sukhwinder Kaur, daughter of Joginder Singh (PW 2) and Kans Kaur. Owing to alleged demand of dowry, Sukhwinder Kaur came back to her parents from her matrimonial home which gave rise to strained relationship between the parties. Baljit Singh tried to forcibly take away Sukhwinder Kaur on a few occasions but her parents did not permit her to go with him whereupon Panchayat intervened resulting in execution of a purported agreement of informal divorce.

3. The said Baljit Singh, Dilbagh Singh as also the appellant herein were constables. All of them were deputed on patrol duty at a naka set up at Fatuwal, GT Road. Their duty hours were between 8 p.m. on 20-2-199