JUDGEMENT :

Ahsanuddin Amanullah, J.

We have heard Mr. Nageshwara Rao Pappu, learned senior counsel along with Ms. V. Mythili, learned counsel for the appellant, and; Mr. S. Dushyanth Reddy, learned Additional Public Prosecutor (hereinafter referred to as the ‘APP’) for the State.

2. The present appeal is directed against the judgement dated 16.04.2015 rendered in Sessions Case No.393 of 2012 by the learned Special Judge for Trial of Cases under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act-cum-4VIth Additional Sessions Judge, Kurnool (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Trial Court’), by which the appellant, having been found guilty of the offence under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (hereinafter referred to as the ‘IPC’), has been convicted and sentenced to undergo life imprisonment and to pay a fine of Rs.5,000/- and in default thereof to undergo two years’ simple imprisonment.

3. The prosecution came to be instituted on the basis of the First Information Report, lodged by the Station House Officer, Krishnagiri Police Station, on the basis of the statement recorded by Harijana Kathi Amrose (PW-1), relating to the death of his father viz. Harijana K