JUDGMENT

Abhay Manohar Sapre, J.

This appeal is filed against the final judgment and order dated 12.06.2008 passed by the High Court of Judicature at Madras in Criminal Appeal No. 513 of 2006 whereby the Division Bench of the High Court partly allowed the appeal filed by the appellant herein.

2. In order to appreciate the issues involved in this appeal, it is necessary to set out the facts infra.

3. The appellant herein (A-1) along with co-accused- Chinnakolandai (A-2) were tried for the commission of the offences punishable under Section 302 read with Sections 109 and 203 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860(hereinafter referred to as "IPC"), Section 36-A and E of the Tamil Nadu Forest Act, 1882 and Section 3 read with Section 25 (1-B) (a) of the Arms Act in the Court of Additional Sessions Judge, Dharmapuri in Session Case No. 342/2004.

4. By Judgment/order dated 17.05.2006, the Additional Sessions Judge convicted the appellant herein(A-1) for the offences punishable under Sections 302 and 203 IPC, Section 36-A and E of the Tamil Nadu Forest Act and Section 3 read with Section 25(1-B)(a) of the Arms Act and sentenced him to undergo life imprisonment with a fine of Rs. 2000/- and in default