JUDGMENT :

C.Praveen Kumar, J.

The sole accused in Sessions Case No.146 of 2012 on the file of the learned Sessions Judge, Mahila Court, Vijayawada is the appellant herein. He was tried for the offences punishable under Sections 364, 302 and 201 I.P.C.

2. Vide judgment, dated 07.04.2016, the learned Sessions Judge, while acquitting the accused for the offence punishable under Section 201 I.P.C., convicted him for the offences punishable under Sections 364 and 302 I.P.C. and accordingly, sentenced him to suffer imprisonment for life and to pay fine of Rs.25,000/-, in default of payment of fine, to suffer simple imprisonment for a period of three months for the offence punishable under Section 364 I.P.C.; and to suffer imprisonment for life and to pay fine of Rs.25,000/-, in default of payment of fine, to suffer simple imprisonment for a period of three months for the offence punishable under Section 302 I.P.C. The substantive sentences were directed to run concurrently.

3. The gravamen of the charge against the accused is that on 08.01.2011, the accused made a phone call to one Nowkad Vanaja Rani @ Vannu @ Lajjo (hereinafter, referred to as “deceased”) from his mobile number, induc