JUDGMENT

Dr. B.S. Chauhan,J.

1. This appeal has been preferred against the impugned judgment and order dated 20.1.2010, passed by the High Court of Punjab & Haryana at Chandigarh in Criminal appeal No.499-DB of 2001, affirming the judgment and order of the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Panipat dated 4.9.2001/7.9.2001, passed in Sessions Trial No.49 of 2000 by which and whereunder the appellant alongwith one Jagbir Singh stood convicted under Sections 302 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (hereinafter referred to as ‘IPC’) and sentenced to imprisonment for life and a fine of Rs.5,000/-each. They had further been convicted under Section 201 IPC and sentenced to undergo two years RI and a fine of Rs.1,000/-each. In default of payment, further undergo RI of six months.

2. Facts and circumstances giving rise to this appeal are:

A. That one Ram Chander (PW.13), brother of Suraj Mal (since deceased) alleged that his brother Suraj Mal was missing from 21.6.1995 and his dead body was found on 26.6.1995 floating in the canal after recovery of his chappal on the path to canal near the bridge. Initially, the report in this respect was lodged on 25.6.1995 as a missing person by the mo