JUDGMENT

Harjit Singh Bedi, J. —

1. This appeal by way of special leave at the instance of the solitary accused arises out of the following facts:

2. Saroja was the second wife of PW2, the appellant’s father and, therefore, the step mother of the appellant. PW5 was the appellant’s step sister having been born out of the marriage of PW2 and the deceased whereas PW3 was the husband of PW5. All the persons aforementioned were residents of village Thuluvaspushpagiri and were agriculturists by profession. PW2 had lost his first wife, the mother of the appellant, about 22 years prior to the date of the incident, and one year after her death PW2 had married the deceased Saroja. It appears that Saroja was a lady of easy virtue and was involved with several persons in the village which had annoyed the appellant and he often asked her to behave in a dignified way. The deceased, however, told the appellant that it is not his business to interfere in her affairs as she was an independent person and entitled to live her life as she pleased. Saroja’s affairs, however, continued to rankle the appellant.

3. At about 9 a.m. on 19th March 2000, PW5 and the deceased went to the field to perform their