This criminal appeal is directed against. the judgment and order dated 10.10.2001 passed by the learned Sessions Judge, Jorhat in Sessions Case No. 66(J-J)/97, whereby the appellant accused Rakesh Kr. Singh was convicted under Section 302 IPC and sentenced to imprisonment for life and pay a fine of Rs.1000/-, in default to further imprisonment for three months.

2. The facts of the present appeal are that the present appellant-accused Rakesh Kr. Singh is an Inspector of Custom & Central Excise. He had married Julie Singh (Barthakur) on 3rd July 1995. On 27.9.96 her dead body was found in burnt condition and an FIR being lodged, police took up the investigation. The dead body was sent for post-mortem examination after an inquest was made by Mr. J.B. Ekka, Executive Magistrate. P.W.-7 is Dr. Narayan Bordoloi who held the autopsy and found the following injuries:

"Dead body of a healthy female. Extensive superficial burns seen over the whole body except a portion in the buttock and the back. There are as of arrhythmia in the burnt portion. Narrow grave border of reddening seen in the unburnt areas of the buttock and the back surrounding the burnt areas. The tongue is hal