ORDER

1. This appeal by way of special leave arises out of the following facts:

2. The deceased Vasudha @ Sangeeta was the daughter of Chandrakant Kumbhar (PW.4) a resident of Tupgaon. Vasudha had married to the Appellant, Laxman Ram Mane, on 16th May, 1990, that is about one and a half years prior to the date of incident, and after the marriage the couple resided in the matrimonial home at Vitthalwadi, Pali in Raigad District. As per the prosecution story Vasudha had gone to her parents' home about one month prior to the incident and had disclosed to her father and brother of her husband's dalliance with a girl Pragati by name, and that he would often abuse and beat her. Chandrakant told Vasudha that he would talk to her husband on this issue after the harvesting season was over. A few days after this visit Chandrakant received a message that his daughter had drowned in the river. He along with his son (PW.3) Vilas and Pandharinath and other relatives then rushed to Pali and a complaint of a missing person was lodged at the Pali police station by Pandharinath. On the 9th August 1994 the police informed PW.4 that a dead body had been found near village Shiloshi about 6 k.m. away from