Judgment :

1. This appeal against acquittal has been filed by the State of Andhra Pradesh impugning the judgment of the High Court of that State whereby the respondent herein, the sole accused, has been acquitted for an offence punishable under Section 302 of the IPC. The prosecution story is as under: 2. The accused Thummala Anjaneyulu by name, developed intimacy with Suguna, daughter-in-law of PW-2. On the 6th of January 1997 PW-2 found the respondent and his daughter-in-law in his cattle shed and that too in a compromising position. PW-2 raised an alarm on which the respondent ran away leaving behind a lungi and underwear belonging to him. Suguna was thereupon made to leave PW-2's house the next day. At about 4 p.m. on the 7th January 1997, the deceased Bhoomaiah went to the house of PW-6 for the purpose of organizing a Panchayat between G.Kistaiah and G. Ramulu with respect to some agricultural land. PW-3, the wife of the deceased, and another lady, Manemma by name, and his sister-in-law also followed 2 the deceased to oversee the outcome of the Panchayat. Several other persons too were present at that time including the accused and PWs. 3, 4, 5, and 6. During the Panchayat proc