JUDGMENT

A.R. Lakshmanan, J. - The Accused in Sessions Case No. 23 of 1987 on the file of the Principal Sessions Judge, Tirochirapalli, who has been convicted under Section 302 I.P.C., and sentenced to undergo Imprisonment for Life, is the appellant herein. She has preferred this appeal from the Special Prison for Women, Madurai. Hence, this Court has appointed one Mr. B. Ullasavelavan, Advocate of this Court, as Amicus Curiae to assist the Court and defend the appellant.

2. The prosecution case is as follows:

P.W.1 Appavu along with his wife Chellammal is residing at Sanappiratti Pathiyur Village. The appellant along with her brother Kamppiah was residing at Pathaiyur, which is one Kilometre away from Sanappiratti. On the morning of 20-7-1986 at about 6.00 A.M., when P.W.1 Appavu returned from his field, he was informed by his wife Chellammal that the goat which was tied in his house was stolen away by somebody. P.W.1 searched for the goat in vain till that evening. P.W.5 Palraj used to steal goats. Suspecting P.W.5, P.W.1 went to the house of P.W.2 Anbalagan at about 5.00 P.M., on 20-71986 and informed him about the theft of goat from his house and also his suspicion over P.W.5.