JUDGMENT

B.Veerappa, J. - Criminal Appeal 171/2015 is filed by the accused/ appellant against the impugned judgment and order of conviction dated 28.1.2015 made in S.C.No.13/2012 on the file of the Principal Sessions Judge, Kolar convicting the him for the offence punishable under Section 302 of Indian Penal Code and sentencing him to undergo imprisonment for life.

2. Criminal Appeal No. 820/2015 is filed by the State against the aforesaid impugned judgment and order of conviction only in so far as non-imposition of any fine for the offence punishable under Section 302 IPC which is mandatory.

I - Facts of the case

3. It is the case of the prosecution that the deceased Lakshmamma was the wife of Ramanna. Ramanna and his brother Doddanna-P.W.1, who is the complainant were residing separately in the farm house constructed by them in the lands belonging to them. Ramanna and his wife-deceased Lakshmamma were residing in the farm house situated in their land, whereas, Doddanna and his wife and his family members including his son, daughter-in-law and grand children were residing in the neighbouring farm house in the same land. The accused, the neighbouring land owner was cultivating the s