1. The appellant has been convicted under S.302 I.P.C., for having caused the death of his wife by cutting her with a chopper at about 12-30 p. m., on 4-1-60 and has been sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for life. He was found not guilty and acquitted of the offence under S.326 I.P.C., for having caused grievous hurt to his mother by cutting her with a chopper.

2. The prosecution case briefly is this:

The accused was for some time employed in Bombay. Then he came back to his native village and married the deceased Narayani Ammal, daughter of Pw. 11 in January 1959. The accused, his mother Pw. 1, his sister Pappammal Pw. 2 and his wife were living together in his house in Tharur village. After the marriage Pw. 2 had gone to Ernakulam and was staying with another brother of hers who was employed there. In November 1959 Pw.1 went to Ernakulam to her son and while she was returning she brought back Pappammal with her. While Pw.1 was away the accused and his wife alone were living in the house. The accused then began to ill-treat and beat his wife. Pw. 4 who is a maidservant in the house, informed their neighbour Pw. 3 Janaki Animal and under instructions from her she sent h