ARIJIT PASAYAT, J.

( 1 ) CHALLENGE in this appeal is to the judgment of a Division bench of the Andhra Pradesh High Court upholding the conviction of the appellant for offence punishable under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (in short the 'ipc')and sentence of imprisonment for life and fine of Rs. 1,000/-with default stipulation as recorded by learned Sessions judge, Srikalulam.

( 2 ) BACKGROUND facts as projected by the prosecution to fasten guilt on the appellant are as follows: accused had suspected the fidelity of his wife Polamma (hereinafter referred to as the 'deceased') towards him, for about one week prior to the offence. On 24. 8. 2000 at 2. 00 p. m. the accused with an intention to kill her, stabbed on the left side of her abdomen with a knife. On hearing her cries, the neighbours Damyanthi, Appamma, Shanthi (PW-3) the daughter of the accused Ankamma and others rushed there and found the accused holding a knife and on seeing them, he left the house. Polamma informed them that the accused had stabbed her. She was immediately shifted to the hospital at palakonda. There, the Medical officer gave treatment and the sub Inspector of Police recorded her statement and