THOMAS, J.

This is a case is which a Sub-Inspector was shot dead inside his police station. The crucial question involved here is whether he shot himself dead or was shot at by one of his subordinates in conspiracy with others in the police station. Sessions Court found that he was shot dead by one of his subordinates. One Head Constable and two Constables (out of seven persons arraigned as accused in the trial court) were convicted and sentenced for murder and also for certain other allied offences. Other accused were acquitted. The first three appeals are those preferred by the convicted accused. Union of India filed one appeal for enhancement of sentence from imprisonment for life to death penalty and another appeal against acquittal.

2. The scene of occurrence was the Sub-Inspector's room in Panur Police Station. That date of occurrence was 12-3-1981 at 11-55 a.m. The facts of this case are simple, but evidence is much. Three different agencies have handled the investigation in this case at three different stages. The first two (local police and then crime branch wing of Kerala Police) concluded that this is a case of suicide. But the Central Bureau of Investigation