ORDER :

The correctness of the concurrent findings recorded in the impugned judgment dated 5.01.2010 on the charge against the appellant with regard to the offence punishable under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code ("IPC" for short) is under challenge in this criminal appeal, urging various legal contentions.

2. The machinery of the criminal law was set into motion by filing of a First Information Report (Case Crime No. 412) by one Ramesh Chandra, informant/brother of the deceased, on 11.08.1980 registered with the Police Station, Jwalapur, District Saharanpur alleging that on 11.08.1980 in the evening at about 5.30 p.m., he along with his grandfather, Chauhal Singh, and his sister (since deceased) were in the fields. According to him, the deceased had gone to the adjoining corn field for cutting grass, when her cries 'to leave her alone' were heard. On hearing it, when the informant and his grandfather reached the spot they saw that both the accused persons were holding the deceased. The accused/appellant hit the neck of the deceased with Daraanti. On seeing the informant and his grandfather approaching the spot, both the accused persons ran away.

3. Learned counsel appearing on b