Judgment :-

P. Sathasivam, CJI.

1) This appeal is directed against the judgment and order dated 15.03.2007 passed by the High Court of Judicature at Madras in Criminal Appeal No. 963 of 2005 whereby the Division Bench of the High Court disposed of the appeal by acquitting A4 to A6 and confirmed the order of conviction and sentence dated 27.10.2005 in respect of A1 to A3 passed by the Additional District Sessions Judge, Salem in Sessions Case No. 254 of 2004.

2) The facts and circumstances giving rise to this appeal are as under:

(a) This case relates to the death of one person by name Babu – resident of Kullaveeranpatti, Mettur, Tamil Nadu. One Arumugam@Arupaiyan, who was working as a car driver at Sadurangadi, Mettur, was having an affair with one Chitra (PW-6), who, at the relevant time, was working at Krishna Medicals. One Palanichami, who was working as a car cleaner, too was in love with her.

(b) When Chitra informed Arumugam@Arupaiyan about Palanichami, he confronted the cleaner and when the driver of the car-Senthil (A-7) asked him as to why he confronted him, Arumugam@Arupaiyan started beating Senthil which resulted in enmity between A-7 and Arumugam@Arupaiyan. A-7 also develope