JUDGMENT :

SANJIV KHANNA, J.

Leave granted.

2. The impugned judgment¹[Dated 31.08.2016 passed in Criminal Appeal No.280/2016.] by the High Court of Judicature at Madras affirms the conviction of the appellant – Perumal Raja @ Perumal for murder of Rajini @ Rajinikanth under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860²[For short, “IPC”.] and Section 201 of the IPC, by the Principal Sessions Judge, Puducherry in SC No. 22 of 2014³[Dated 07.04.2016.], in the charge sheet arising from the First Information Report⁴[For short, “FIR”.] No. 80 of 2008 registered on 24.04.2008 in Police Station⁵[For short, “PS”.] Odiansalai, District – Puducherry.

3. The appellant – Perumal Raja @ Perumal stands sentenced to imprisonment for life and fine of Rs.5,000/- for the offence under Section 302 of the IPC and rigorous imprisonment for three years and fine of Rs.3,000/- for the offence under Section 201 of the IPC.

4. The other co-accused, namely, Saravanan @ Krishnan, Mohan @ Mohankumar, and Ravi @ Ravichandran were acquitted by the trial court, which acquittal has become final. One ‘N’ was tried as a juvenile and acquitted. On 15.02.2013, the case of another co-accused – Chella @ Mugundhan was split up s