I.A. Ansari, J.

1. This criminal reference has arisen under Rule 9 of the Rules for the Regulations of the Procedure of Officers appointed to Administer Justice in Lushai Hills, 1937 out of the judgment and order, dated 1.2.2005, passed, in G.R. Case No. 432/2004, by the learned Additional Sessions Judge (ad hoc), Lunglei, whereby accused Ramengmawia stands convicted under Section 302 IPC and sentenced to suffer imprisonment for life.

2. The case against the accused person, as unfolded at the trial, may, in brief, be stated as follows :

On 25.12.2004, the Duty Officer, at Lunglei Police Station, namely, Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police, Shri Lalchhinga, received a telephonic message, at the said Police Station, from Shri R. Sawithanga, VCP, Buarpui, informing him to the effect, inter alia, that Sawikima, aged about 48 years, who had set out of his residence on rambling at about 7.00 O'clock of 24th December, 2004, had not returned home till the dusk and following his disappearance, members of the public had conducted a search to trace out his whereabouts and, eventually, they had found Sawikima's hat lying inside the latrine of Sawikima's grandson, Ramengmawia, they had also