JUDGMENT :

Ramesh Sinha, J.

1. This criminal appeal is preferred under Section 374(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (for short, the Cr.P.C.) against the impugned judgment of conviction and order of sentence dated 31.07.2023 passed by the learned Additional Session Judge, Dhamtari, District Dhamtari, in Sessions Trial No. 32/2020 whereby the appellant has been convicted for the offence punishable under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for life with fine of Rs. 1000/- and in default of payment of fine, to further undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months.

2. Case of the prosecution, in brief, is that on 22.08.2020, the appellant and her husband i.e. Goutam Kashyap (hereinafter referred to as ‘the deceased’) were present in the house and the appellant was busy in talking on mobile phone. The deceased tried to prevent her from talking on mobile phone on which a dispute arose. The appellant is alleged to have poured kerosene on the deceased and set him on fire. The deceased cried for help upon which the appellant poured water on him and fled from the place of incident.

3. Initially, a Dehatinalishi (Exhibit P/35) was recorded by t