M. F. SALDANHA, J.

( 1 ) THE appellant before us, Devendrappa is alleged to have picked up a quarrel with his wife Padmavathi at about 8 a. m. on the morning of 14-5-1997 when he pressurized her to bring money from her parents and when she expressed her inability, he doused her clothes with kerosene oil and set fire to them. Padmavathi screamed out for help and it is not very clear as to who exactly extinguished the flames but the accused ultimately took her to the hospital in a seriously burnt condition. Padmavathi had sustained about 63% burns though there is some difference of opinion with regard to the exact extent as one of the doctors has given the percentage as 40%, but the medical records show that on admission she had given the history of the burns to PW. 9 Dr. Sharma. She had stated that pursuant to a quarrel her husband had poured kerosene on her clothes and set fire to them as a result of which she had sustained the burns. As it was a medico legal case, the hospital informed the police and the P. S. I. PW. 16 came to the hospital. His evidence is to the effect that when he asked the injured as to how she had sustained the burns that she made a statement to the effect t

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