JUDGMENT

Ranjan Gogoi, J.-This appeal, by special leave, is directed against the judgment dated 10.04.2006 passed by the High Court of Calcutta affirming the conviction of the accused-appellant as recorded by the learned trial court under Sections 302, 364 and 201 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The accused-appellant, Chunda Murmu, has been sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for life under Section 302 of IPC whereas under Sections 364 and 201 of IPC each, he has been sentenced to suffer rigorous imprisonment for seven years alongwith fine. All the sentences have been directed to run concurrently.

2. The case of the prosecution, in short, inter-alia, is that on 15.03.1990, one Anil Mardi, P.W.7, lodged a complaint in the Habibpur Police Station to the effect that his sister – Kamla, who was married to the accused appellant for about six years, had been missing since 10.03.1990. It had been further stated, in the complaint filed, that though the complainant had searched for his sister, her whereabouts were not known and that the complainant suspected that she was murdered by her husband, namely, the accused-appellant.

3. On the basis of the aforesaid complaint, P.W.16 – P.