MADAN B. LOKUR, J.

( 1 ) THIS appeal is directed against the judgment and order dated 18th May, 2002 passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge in Sessions Case No. 82/1999. Before the Trial Court, there were two accused persons " Ashok Kumar and Sanjeet. In so far as Ashok Kumar is concerned, he was convicted of offences punishable under Sections 302 and 394 of the Indian Penal Code (for short the IPC) while Sanjeet was acquitted. By an order dated 18th May, 2002, ashok Kumar was convicted to undergo a sentence of imprisonment for life and to pay a fine. Under the circumstances, this appeal has been preferred only by ashok Kumar.

( 2 ) THE facts of the case are not particularly complicated in as much as they concern the murder of Kumud Khaitan. She was a spinster living with her father at C-140, Defence Colony (First Floor) and was found murdered on the morning of 21st August, 1998. Some cash of a little over Rs. 2 lakhs which was given to her by her brother the previous evening was missing.

( 3 ) THE case brought out by the prosecution is that Kumud Khaitan and her father Durga Das Khaitan were living at C-140, Defence Colony in a flat on the first floor. The second floor