K. Somashekar, J.

Heard the learned counsel Shri Mohan Kumara D., Advocate appointed as amicus curiae for the appellant. So also heard the arguments of the learned HCGP for the State.

2. This appeal is directed against the judgment of the I Additional District and Sessions Judge, Mysore, in S.C.No.255/2011 dated 6.3.2012 convicting the appellant – accused for offence punishable under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the IPC’, for brevity) and thereby sentencing him to undergo imprisonment for life and to pay a fine of Rs.10,000/- and in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for two years. Aggrieved by the conviction, the impugned judgment has been challenged in this appeal urging various grounds.

3. Brief facts of the prosecution case are as under: On 15.06.2011, when CW-9 - the police Inspector, Vijayanagar Police Station, Mysore was on patrolling duty, he received information at around 10.00 a.m. that in the house of PW-13 Anasuyamma in Hootagalli, a murder had taken place. Immediately, he had rushed to the spot along with his staff and found Mithun – PW1 present there. On enquiring with Mithun, the police Inspector came to know th