PRADEEP NANDRAJOG, J.

1. Surender Lal Dev (hereinafter referred to as the “Deceased”) was last seen alive on June 30, 2013, when after settling his dues he left employment of Dinesh Kumar PW-12.

2. The deceased being missing, and in all probability dead, emerged when accused Mohd.Aslam rang up the police in the morning of November 24, 2013 and informed that a quarrel is taking place at a house situated near Shiv Temple at Mangal Bazar Road, Bhagya Vihar” as recorded in DD No.16A, Ex.PW-2/A.

3. On being handed over a copy of DD No.16A, accompanied by Ct.Dharampal PW-12, SI Randhir PW-15 reached the house where a decomposed body, reduced to a skeleton, was recovered from the septic tank within the precincts of the building.

4. Insp. Mahender Singh PW-21 also reached the house and took over further investigation.

5. Needless to state, needle of suspicion pointed towards the five alleged occupants of the house i.e. accused :

(i) Mohd.Aslam,

(ii) Meera Devi,

(iii) Anjali,

(iv) Ranjeet and

(v) absconder Shyam.

6. Lead could be obtained only by interrogating the occupants of the house; who allegedly stated in unison that the deceased was employed in the shop of Dinesh Kumar, and