JUDGMENT

C.PRAVEEN KUMAR, J. - Heard Ms.Aishwarya Nagula, learned counsel representing Sri H. Prahalada Reddy, learned counsel for the appellant/accused and learned Additional Public Prosecutor for the respondent/State.

2. The present appeal came to be filed challenging the conviction and sentence imposed by Trial Court in Sessions Case No.189 of 2013 on the file of VI Additional District and Sessions Judge, S.P.S.R. Nellore District, wherein the sole accused was found guilty for the offence punishable under Sec. 302 of Indian Penal Code, 1860 (hereinafter referred to as 'IPC') and sentenced to undergo imprisonment for 'Life' and to pay fine of Rs.500.00, in default of payment of fine, to suffer simple imprisonment for a period of 15 days.

3. The substance of the charge against the accused, is that, on 30/10/2012 at about 8.30 a.m., at the house of P.W.10, Sangam Mandal, S.P.S.R. Nellore District, the accused hacked one Nellore Veeraiah (hereinafter referred to as 'deceased') with an axe on the back and left side of the head, leading to instantaneous death.

4. The facts as culled out from the evidence of prosecution witnesses, are as under:

(i) The accused and material prosecution witn