JUDGMENT

R. BANUMATHI, J.

Leave granted.

2. This appeal preferred by the State challenges the judgment of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh in Criminal Appeal No.559 of 2008 acquitting the respondent under Section 302 IPC by setting aside his conviction and the sentence of life imprisonment imposed upon him by the trial court.

3. Husband of deceased Meena Devi passed away about eleven years ago prior to the incident. Meena Devi was residing with her son Jeewan Lal (PW-1), daughter Rekha Devi (PW-2) and accused Raj Kumar (brother-in-law) in the joint family house. On 23.08.2007 at 08.30 p.m., while Meena Devi was taking meal along with her family, respondent-accused came there in drunken condition and started abusing Meena Devi and her children PW-1 and PW-2 without any reason and threatened to kill them. Barf Devi-grandmother of PW-1 who was present in the house took Jeewan Lal (PW-1) to adjoining sleeping room and bolted the room from outside. She asked Rekha Devi (PW-2) daughter of deceased to go to the house of her maternal uncle Anant Ram (PW-3). While being inside the room, PW-1 heard the cries of his mother Meena Devi and from the window saw the respondent-accused taking her